Legal Research in Turkey

Did you know that democratic republic of Turkey is the only Muslim country in the world that is secular state? The government does, however, have a Directorate of Religious Affairs. 

Turkey by Numbers

• Population (2010): 73,722,988 with 17 million residing in Istanbul
• Area: 783,562 km2
• GDP per capita (2010): $13,464
• 16th largest world economy in 20100
• Highest growth rate in the Q1 of 2011

Istanbul

Hierarchy of Written (Enacted) Laws

The superior legal code of Turkey is the Constitution (Anayasa). Beneath the Constitution is the Codes and Statues (Kanunlar). Next is International Treaties (Milletlerarası Andlaşmalar), followed by Statutory Decrees (Kanun Hükmünde Karanameler). Below the Statutory Decrees are Regulations (Tüzükler) and last, but not least, Bylaws (Yönetmelikler).

Interested in legal research in Turkey…Where to begin?

There are two types of sources for legal research on Turkey: primary and secondary. Primary sources include legislation and court decisions (precedents) while secondary sources are comprised of books, periodicals, and other compilations.

Primary Source: Legislation

The official legislation of Turkey is known as Resmi Gazete. Legislation from February 7, 1921 to the present is accessible online. Another great resource is The Legislation Information System (Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi).

Primary Source: Court Decisions (Precedents)

• The Constitutional Court (Anayasa Mahkemesi)
• The Court of Cassation (Yargıtay)
• The Council of State (Danıştay)
• The Military Court of Cassation (Askeri Yargıtay)
• The High Military Administrative Court

Secondary Source: Union Catalogs

• National Union Catalog (Ulusal Toplu Katalog)
• Yordam Union Catalog
• Union Catalog

Secondary Source: Periodicals

• Journal of Justice (Adalet Dergisi)
• Journal of Constitutional Court Decisions (Anayasa Mahkemesi Kararlar Dergisi)
• Journal of the Ankara Bar Association (Ankara Barosu Dergisi)
• Ankara Law Review (Ankara Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi)
• Journal of the Council of State (Danıştay Dergisi)
• Journal of the Istanbul Bar Association (İstanbul Barosu Dergisi)

Secondary Source: Open Access

• Ankara University Open Archive
• National Open Access System
• The National Theses Center of the Higher Education Council
• The Turkish Academic Network and Information Centre (ULAKBIM) Law Database
• National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP)