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UNITED KINGDOM - TURKEY - ISTANBUL LAWYER

Turkish citizens and expatriates living in the United Kingdom may often seek legal assistance from a lawyer who is well-versed in both Turkish and British legal systems. At Maya Law Firm, based in Istanbul, we offer comprehensive legal services to Turkish citizens and UK residents living in the United Kingdom.

Turkish individuals living in the UK frequently invest in Turkey, face inheritance issues, or require legal support in areas such as family law. Therefore, it is essential to consult expert lawyers capable of managing legal processes with care and precision.

RECOGNITION OF UK COURT DECISIONS

Under Turkish law, the recognition of foreign court decisions is governed by Article 51 of the International Private and Procedural Law (IPPL). According to this article, decisions rendered by foreign courts may be recognized in Turkey if the following conditions are met:

• The decision must be final and binding.

• It must not violate Turkish public order.

• The court rendering the decision must not be deemed unauthorized under Turkish jurisdiction rules.

ENFORCEMENT OF UK COURT DECISIONS

The enforcement of UK court decisions in Turkey is regulated under Article 52 of the IPPL. For enforcement to be granted, the following conditions must be satisfied:

• The decision must be recognized.

• It must be enforceable in nature.

• It must be finalized.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT

To initiate recognition and enforcement of a UK court decision in Turkey, the following documents are required:

• The original or an official copy of the decision,

• Certification that the decision is final,

• A sworn Turkish translation of the decision.

TIME LIMIT FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT

Recognition and enforcement lawsuits must be filed within 10 years from the date the UK decision was issued.

INHERITANCE LAW AND EXECUTION OF WILLS

Inheritance law often involves complex cross-border issues. The distribution of a Turkish national’s estate who resides in the UK or the legal status of an estate left by a UK citizen in Turkey requires specific legal expertise.

Cases involving the execution or annulment of a will are critically important to prevent disputes or the loss of rights among heirs. Working with lawyers familiar with the legal frameworks of both countries ensures a swift and accurate process.

DEBT COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS

Creditors in both Turkey and the UK may initiate enforcement proceedings to collect debts. To begin enforcement in Turkey:

• The court decision must be final, recognized, and enforced,

• The debtor’s assets must be identified,

• Seizure and collection procedures must be commenced.

Seeking legal assistance between the UK and Turkey can help expedite the recovery of debts and protect your legal rights.

OUR SERVICES AT MAYA LAW FIRM

As Maya Law Firm, we provide legal services in the following areas with our expert team for legal matters between the United Kingdom and Turkey:

• Recognition and Enforcement Lawsuits (Divorce, inheritance, commercial rulings)

• Family Law (Divorce, custody, marital property regimes)

• Inheritance Law (Execution of wills, determination of heirs)

• Commercial Law (Contract disputes, company law)

• Criminal Law (International criminal cases, extradition procedures)

• Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law (Debt collection, execution proceedings)

Our experienced lawyers are here to provide legal support to both Turkish and British citizens living in the United Kingdom. For more detailed information and legal consultancy, please feel free to contact us.

OUR EXPERT AND EXPERIENCED LAWYERS

Maya Law Firm is composed of lawyers with deep expertise and significant experience. Our attorneys are familiar with both the British and Turkish legal systems, enabling them to provide accurate and up-to-date legal advice to Turkish residents in the UK.

LEGAL SERVICES IN TURKISH

We also provide legal services in Turkish to citizens living in the United Kingdom. This ensures that Turkish-speaking clients can address their legal matters in their native language with clarity and comfort.

Maya Law Firm offers professional yet affordable legal consultancy services. Our lawyers determine the most effective legal solution for your issue and strive to deliver the best possible outcome.

LEGAL CONSULTANCY FOR TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING IN THE UK

Turkish citizens living in the UK can receive legal consultancy from our office located in Istanbul. Our lawyers provide up-to-date and precise legal advice tailored to the needs of Turkish clients living abroad.

There are Turkish-origin lawyers in the UK who specialize in inheritance and divorce cases and provide high-quality legal services. Maya Law Firm also offers services to UK citizens of Turkish descent.

It is important for Turkish residents in the UK to conduct thorough research when seeking legal assistance. Those unfamiliar with the British legal system should be especially cautious. There are numerous law firms in the UK offering consultancy across a range of legal fields, including:

• Divorce Law

• Criminal Law

• Rental and Tenancy Law

• Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law

• Immigration Law

• Economic Law

Depending on your case and the applicable legal system, you may consult the appropriate law firm. Turkish lawyers in the UK utilize their legal experience to solve the problems of their clients effectively.

Maya Law Firm is one of the key institutions where a team of lawyers actively work. Alongside our attorneys, we also have support personnel assisting in operations. In addition to legal consultancy, we also carry out litigation processes. In this regard, law firms are known as venues where lawyers exercise their profession and serve the public interest.

LEGAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UK AND TURKEY: LITIGATION, INHERITANCE, DIVORCE, AND OTHER LEGAL PROCESSES

Managing UK-Turkey Cases under Private International Law

Private International Law determines which country’s law applies to cases involving individuals from different nationalities. While Turkey’s legislation is governed by Law No. 5718, the UK relies on the British Civil Code and relevant international conventions.

The following aspects are vital in legal relations between the two countries:

• Which country’s courts have jurisdiction,

• Which country’s laws will be applied,

• Whether a court decision will be recognized and enforced in the other country.

TYPES AND PROCEDURES OF DIVORCE IN THE UK

There are two types of divorce in the UK:

• Divorce by Mutual Consent: A faster process initiated by spouses who agree on all terms.

• Contested Divorce: Initiated when there is a dispute, requiring a court judgment.

The divorce process concludes once a court decree is issued.

RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF UK DIVORCE DECISIONS IN TURKEY

To make a UK divorce ruling legally valid in Turkey, a recognition and enforcement lawsuit must be filed. Recognition enables the ruling to be accepted as valid, while enforcement ensures it can be executed.

Required Documents and Process

To recognize a UK divorce decree in Turkey, the following documents are necessary:

• Original decree and finalization certificate,

• Apostilled and certified copy,

• Sworn Turkish translation,

• Identity documents of the parties.

The case is filed at Family Courts and generally concludes quickly.

TERMINATION OF INHERITANCE RIGHTS FOR DIVORCED SPOUSES

Once a divorce is finalized in the UK, the former spouses lose their inheritance rights toward each other. However, if the divorce is not recognized in Turkey, they may still be considered legally married and retain inheritance rights. Thus, recognition is crucial.

INHERITANCE LAW AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE UK

In the UK, inheritance is classified as:

• Statutory inheritance (legal heirs by blood),

• Testamentary inheritance (as designated in a will).

Heirs by blood have primary rights, though wills must also consider “reserved share” entitlements.

INHERITANCE TRANSFER AND SUCCESSION IN TURKEY

To transfer inheritance in Turkey:

• A certificate of inheritance must be obtained,

• Either mutual distribution or court involvement is required,

• Title deed transfers for real estate must be completed.

VALIDITY OF UK WILLS IN TURKEY

For a UK will to be valid in Turkey:

• It must be compliant with Turkish law,

• It must be notarized and apostilled,

• It must be translated into Turkish.

DIFFERENCES IN INHERITANCE TAX BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE UK

• In Turkey, inheritance tax rates range from 1% to 10%.

• In the UK, rates range from 0% to 40%, depending on the heir’s relation to the deceased.

PROPERTY ACQUISITION BY UK CITIZENS IN TURKEY

UK citizens can acquire property in Turkey under certain conditions. However, ownership in restricted zones, such as military areas, is prohibited.

RENTAL LAW AND EVICTION CASES IN TURKEY AND THE UK

• In the UK, rental contracts are generally long-term, and rent increases are regulated.

• In Turkey, leases are annual and specific legal procedures are required for eviction.

PROPERTY TITLE PROCEDURES FOR INHERITED REAL ESTATE

For inherited property, the title transfer requires:

• A certificate of inheritance,

• Completion of the inheritance transfer process,

• Consent of all heirs.

CHILD CUSTODY AND INTERNATIONAL FAMILY LAW

International custody cases are managed under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Turkish and British courts consider the best interests of the child in any dispute.

ALIMONY CLAIMS IN TURKEY AND THE UK

• In the UK, alimony is usually awarded to the economically weaker spouse.

• In Turkey, there are two types: spousal alimony and child support.

CHILD ABDUCTION AND RETURN CASES

These cases are handled under the Hague Convention. As both Turkey and the UK are signatories, judicial processes are executed swiftly.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Both Turkey and the UK enforce protective orders in domestic violence cases. Turkey applies Law No. 6284, while the UK enforces the Domestic Violence Act.

ENFORCING UK COURT DECISIONS IN TURKEY

UK court decisions can only be legally implemented in Turkey after undergoing recognition and enforcement procedures.

At Maya Law Firm, we provide expert legal services for all legal matters between the UK and Turkey. If you would like to receive professional advice from lawyers experienced in both legal systems, feel free to contact us.