Overview
Administrative law governs the organisation, powers and actions of public authorities and their relationships with individuals and companies. Under Article 125 of the Turkish Constitution, every act and action of the administration is subject to judicial review, and the administration must compensate damage caused by its acts.
The main remedies are annulment actions and full-remedy (damages) actions. Filing periods depend on the type of act and special legislation, so the date of notification is critical.
What we handle
Annulment actions
Challenging acts that are unlawful in terms of authority, form, grounds, subject or purpose — e.g. disciplinary penalties, appointments, zoning decisions, permits, fines, residence decisions and tenders.
Stay of execution
Requested where an act is clearly unlawful and its execution would cause irreparable harm — demolition, dismissal, licence cancellation or deportation.
Full-remedy (damages) actions
Compensation for loss caused by the administration’s acts or services, under fault-based or strict liability.
Civil servants
Appointments, transfers, promotions, financial rights, dismissal and disciplinary matters.
Administrative fines
Challenging fines imposed by ministries, municipalities, governorships and regulators.
Public tenders
Complaints, objections to the Public Procurement Authority and lawsuits concerning tender processes.
How the process works
Act and deadline
Authority, date of notification, filing period and any mandatory administrative remedy identified.
Legal review
The act examined for authority, form, grounds, subject and purpose.
Application and lawsuit
Administrative application or lawsuit; stay of execution where needed.
Appeal and compliance
Appeals and compliance with the judgment followed up.
Before your meeting
Bring originals or legible copies of whichever of the following you have. You don’t need everything — missing items are identified together.
- The administrative act and its notification
- Reports and documents relied on by the authority
- Your applications and the replies
- Personnel or disciplinary files (civil servants)
- Tender documents (tender disputes)
Key deadlines
| Matter | Period | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Filing at the administrative court | 60 days | Written notification of the act |
| Implied rejection of an application | 30 days | Date of application |
| Application to the administration for damages | 1 year / 5 years at the latest | Learning of the damage / date of the act |
These are general rules; special provisions or a different starting date may apply in a particular case. It is best to have the deadline assessed on the day you receive a notification.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to challenge an administrative act?
Generally 60 days before the administrative courts and 30 days before the tax courts from written notification; special laws set shorter periods (e.g. 7 days for deportation).
Does filing a lawsuit stop the act?
No. A stay of execution must be requested and is granted where the act is clearly unlawful and would cause irreparable harm.
Can I claim damages from the administration?
Yes. For damage caused by administrative action, apply first to the administration within one year of learning of the damage and in any event within five years.
The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice, a guarantee of outcome or an undertaking in respect of any specific matter. Periods and amounts are subject to change by legislation.
