Contracts & Debt Collection
Whether you are entering a new business relationship or chasing an unpaid invoice, the strength of your legal documents and enforcement strategy determines your outcome. I draft, review, and enforce contracts for foreign businesses and individuals in Turkey, and I pursue what you are owed through swift, determined debt recovery.
1. Services That I Give
Contract drafting and negotiation – supply agreements, service contracts, distribution and agency agreements, NDAs, and joint venture contracts governed by Turkish law
Contract review and legal audit – analyzing existing agreements for hidden liabilities, termination risks, and enforceability gaps
Amicable debt collection – formal notice letters (ihtarname), direct negotiation with debtors, and structured settlement agreements
Judicial debt recovery – filing lawsuits for debt (itirazın iptali, alacak davası) and initiating enforcement proceedings through the Turkish Enforcement and Bankruptcy Office
Cross-border debt claims – enforcing foreign judgments and arbitral awards in Turkey, and coordinating collection efforts with overseas counsel
Interim protective measures – obtaining asset freezing orders (ihtiyati haciz) to secure your claim before litigation begins
2. Key Considerations
Governing law and language – Turkish courts interpret contracts strictly; ambiguities in translation or choice-of-law clauses can unravel your entire position
Enforcement without court judgment – in Turkey, a notarized debt acknowledgment (kambiyo senedi) or a cheque can be enforced directly via executive proceedings, often much faster than a full lawsuit
Statutory limitation periods – debt claims generally prescribe after 10 years, but shorter periods (e.g., 5 years for commercial sales) apply; missed deadlines mean a lost claim
Cost of litigation – court fees, expert costs, and translation expenses must be advanced; I map these realistically before filing
Foreign judgment recognition – a court ruling from abroad is not automatically enforceable; I first obtain an exequatur decision from a Turkish court
Debtor insolvency – if a debtor is genuinely insolvent, aggressive early enforcement is vital to secure priority over other creditors
3. How I Can Help
I safeguard your business from the outset and strike hard when payment fails:
Draft and negotiate contracts with ironclad clauses on payment, jurisdiction, penalty, and termination, tailored precisely to Turkish law
Review your existing agreements to flag and fix provisions that undermine your ability to collect or enforce
Issue strategically worded ihtarname notices that often prompt payment without litigation, saving you time and expense
Swiftly initiate attachment of assets through interim injunctions, preventing the debtor from dissipating funds while the case proceeds
Represent you in all debt and enforcement courts, pushing for accelerated execution and dismissing debtor objections
Recognise and enforce your home-country judgment or arbitral award in Turkey, turning a foreign victory into Turkish cash
If necessary, coordinate cross-border insolvency strategies when a debtor’s assets are spread across multiple jurisdictions
A handshake is not enough—and an unpaid invoice is not the end of the road. Let me structure your contracts and recover your debts with the firmness Turkish law provides. Contact me to discuss your next deal or delinquent account.