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Understanding the Judicial Recess in Türkiye

Every year, Türkiye’s courts observe a mandatory recess period—known as the adli tatil—where judicial activity is significantly limited. While this recess doesn't mean courthouses are completely closed, only urgent and legally exempt cases continue during this time. For individuals involved in legal proceedings or planning to initiate lawsuits, it’s crucial to understand how the judicial recess affects timelines and legal rights.

When Is the 2025 Judicial Recess in Türkiye?

According to Article 102 of the Turkish Civil Procedure Code (HMK), the judicial recess begins each year on July 20 and ends on August 31. Therefore, in 2025:

  • Start Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025

  • End Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025

  • New Judicial Year: Begins Monday, September 1, 2025

During this period, most courts suspend hearings and procedural actions, with the exception of certain urgent cases defined by law.

Which Legal Matters Continue During the Judicial Recess?

Under Article 103 of HMK, the following lawsuits and procedures do proceed during the judicial recess:

  • Requests for interim injunctions, precautionary attachments, and evidence preservation

  • Objections and appeals related to those precautionary measures

  • Family law matters such as child custody, guardianship, and alimony

  • Correction of civil registry records (e.g. name or birthdate changes)

  • Employee lawsuits related to labor contracts or workplace rights

  • Requests for lost commercial book certificates or cancellation of lost negotiable instruments

  • Bankruptcy, concordat, and restructuring cases involving companies or cooperatives

  • Court-authorized site inspections (discovery)

  • Disputes falling under arbitration procedures

  • Non-contentious jurisdiction matters (e.g. inheritance proceedings)

  • Any urgent matter recognized as such by law or the court

Additionally, while other types of cases do not proceed substantively, new lawsuits can still be filed. Procedural acts such as service of documents, registration of appellate petitions, and file transfers to appellate courts or the Supreme Court continue as normal.

Do Deadlines Pause During the Recess?

Yes. According to Article 104 of HMK, for proceedings subject to the judicial recess:

  • If a legal deadline expires during the recess (July 20 – August 31), that deadline is automatically extended by one week, ending on September 7, 2025.

  • For instance, if a party’s time to file a response expires on August 28, the new deadline becomes September 7.

Judicial Recess in Criminal Proceedings

The Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK) also includes provisions for the judicial recess in criminal matters:

  • Criminal courts pause operations during the recess period, with some exceptions.

  • Urgent matters—such as those involving detainees or time-sensitive investigations—continue under a special duty roster approved by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK).

  • In criminal cases, deadlines interrupted by the recess are extended by 3 days (unlike civil cases where the extension is 7 days).

Are Courthouses Closed During Judicial Recess?

No. Contrary to public belief, courthouses remain open during the judicial recess.

  • Clerical departments and supporting court services remain operational.

  • Enforcement offices and public notaries also continue to function.

  • Nöbetçi (on-duty) courts are designated to handle urgent matters.

However, most civil courts will not conduct hearings unless it involves an exception mentioned above.

Can You File a Lawsuit During the Judicial Recess?

Yes. Although the substantive hearing might be postponed, you can initiate a lawsuit during the judicial recess. The key point is that the procedural timeline for court responses or hearings will only start after the recess ends.

For example:

  • You can file a divorce lawsuit during the recess, but procedural steps like service of petition and scheduling of hearings will generally resume after September 1—unless the case qualifies as urgent and both parties agree to proceed earlier.

Why Does Judicial Recess Matter for Foreigners in Türkiye?

For foreign nationals involved in legal disputes or administrative procedures in Türkiye, the judicial recess is a critical consideration. Whether you are filing a lawsuit, responding to a claim, or dealing with enforcement proceedings, understanding which deadlines apply can help prevent missed opportunities or procedural defaults.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the courthouse completely closed during judicial recess?
No. Courthouses remain open and limited staff are on duty to handle urgent matters.

Can I still hire a lawyer and file a case during this time?
Yes. You can initiate legal action, but most cases won’t proceed until after September 1 unless they fall under the exceptions.

Do deadlines stop during the recess?
Yes, if your case qualifies as a judicial recess matter, deadlines are paused and extended accordingly.

Can criminal cases continue during this period?
Yes, but only for urgent matters like investigations of detained suspects.

Can I attend my ongoing hearing during the recess?
Only if it falls under the categories allowed during the recess or if a special court decision is made.

Will enforcement proceedings continue?
Yes. Debt enforcement offices and notaries continue working even during judicial recess.


Conclusion

The 2025 judicial recess in Türkiye runs from July 20 to August 31. While courts remain open, most hearings and procedural deadlines are suspended unless the case qualifies under legal exceptions. Filing new lawsuits is still allowed, but proceedings usually resume after September 1.

At Bayraktar Attorneys, we guide both Turkish and foreign clients through the legal system—even during judicial recess. If you're unsure whether your case qualifies for urgent handling or how to meet deadlines during this period, contact our legal team for personalized advice.