A law introducing amendments to certain laws to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the judiciary was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force. The regulation brings significant changes in several areas, from the Council of State and administrative courts to expert testimony and criminal proceedings.
The deadline for reducing Council of State chambers extended by four years
Under the law, the period for reducing the number of chambers at the Council of State to 10, which was due to expire on July 23, 2026, has been extended by another four years. The scope of cases to be decided by a single judge in administrative courts has also been expanded.
Warning penalty for unnecessary applications to experts
A warning penalty will be imposed when an expert is consulted on matters that can be resolved through the legal knowledge required of judges and prosecutors. The regulation aims to prevent unnecessary delays in judicial proceedings.
Reduced penalties for participation in fraud offenses
Where participation in fraud or aggravated fraud is limited to providing another person with the information or means necessary to use payment instruments such as bank or credit cards, or an account held with a bank, brokerage firm, payment service provider or crypto-asset service provider, in order to obtain an unjust benefit for oneself or another person, the penalty imposed will be reduced by half.
Suspended announcement of verdicts barred for torture and ill-treatment offenses
Provisions concerning the deferral of the announcement of the verdict will not apply to torture and torment offenses, or to offenses committed by a public official in connection with their duties that may be considered ill-treatment under Article 17 of the Constitution.
New regulation on interest rates
In cases where interest is payable under the Turkish Code of Obligations and the Turkish Commercial Code, if the amount has not been determined by contract, the annual payment will be calculated at 80% of the rediscount rate applied by the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye to short-term credit transactions on December 31 of the previous year.
Chief Public Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation granted power to object
Except for decisions on determining the competent court and lack of jurisdiction, the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation may object to all decisions of the criminal chambers of the Court of Cassation before the Criminal General Assembly, either ex officio or upon request, within three months of the date on which the file is delivered to the Chief Public Prosecutor.
Limit on the interval between hearings
Under the Code of Civil Procedure, the interval between hearings may not exceed three months. The regulation aims to accelerate judicial proceedings.
