Whether you’re purchasing real estate, establishing a company, pursuing citizenship, or facing a legal dispute in Turkey, hiring the right lawyer is crucial. For foreigners and expats, the process may seem complex—especially with language barriers, unfamiliar procedures, and the need to trust a professional in a foreign system. At ER&GUN&ER, our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers have advised hundreds of international clients across all sectors. This guide walks you through every legal, administrative, and practical step for hiring a lawyer in Turkey.
Why Foreigners Need Legal Representation in Turkey
- Legal documents, court procedures, and government filings are all in Turkish
- Foreigners cannot self-represent in Turkish courts (except in rare civil cases)
- Many government offices and registries require notarized Power of Attorney (POA)
- Legal representation protects you from fraud, mistakes, and missed deadlines
- A lawyer negotiates, advises, and represents you—whether you’re in Turkey or abroad
Who Is Legally Allowed to Practice Law in Turkey?
Only licensed attorneys registered with a local Bar Association (Baro) in Turkey may offer legal services, represent clients, and sign court filings. Beware of so-called “consultants” or “advisors” who are not licensed lawyers—they may be breaking the law and cannot legally represent you.
Key Criteria for Hiring a Turkish Lawyer
- Bar registration number and city of practice
- Experience in your legal matter (real estate, immigration, corporate law, litigation)
- Fluent English or bilingual support
- Clear fee structure (hourly, fixed project, or retainer)
- Transparent communication and regular reporting
What Is a Power of Attorney (POA)?
A Power of Attorney (vekaletname) is a legal document that allows your lawyer to act on your behalf—submit applications, attend hearings, sign contracts, or purchase property. It must be signed at a Turkish notary or consulate, and translated into Turkish.
Types of POA:
- General POA: Broad authority over multiple legal areas
- Special POA: Limited to specific matters like citizenship, court cases, or property sale
How to Issue a POA from Abroad
- Contact our law firm to receive a bilingual POA draft (English–Turkish)
- Visit the nearest Turkish Consulate or local notary in your country
- Sign the POA with certified witness or consular officer
- Have it apostilled (if outside of Turkey)
- Send the original document to our office by courier
Legal Services We Handle Through POA
- Real estate purchase and title deed registration
- Company formation, shareholder agreements, tax registration
- Citizenship and immigration filings
- Divorce, inheritance, and litigation in family courts
- Enforcement and commercial disputes
Types of Legal Fees in Turkey
- Hourly billing: Common in litigation and advisory work
- Fixed-fee packages: Ideal for real estate, company setup, citizenship
- Monthly retainer: Suitable for ongoing legal consultancy (e.g., foreign-owned companies)
Note: Legal fees must comply with Turkish Bar minimum fee schedule (TBB Asgari Ücret Tarifesi). All our service proposals are provided in writing with full breakdowns.
Real Client Examples
- 🇬🇧 A British citizen purchased a villa in Bodrum with POA—full title deed transfer in 8 days
- 🇨🇭 Swiss entrepreneur launched an LLC in Istanbul—setup, tax ID, and notary in 6 business days
- 🇺🇸 U.S. investor obtained Turkish citizenship remotely—our team filed and tracked all documents
- 🇦🇪 Emirati client evicted a non-paying tenant in Antalya—court victory in 5 months
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Do I need to be in Turkey to hire a lawyer? No. With a notarized POA, we represent you remotely for almost all legal matters.
- Is English fluency important in choosing a Turkish lawyer? Yes—especially for contracts, reporting, and sensitive communications.
- Are lawyer fees negotiable? Often yes, but they cannot fall below Turkish Bar minimum rates for certain services.
- What happens if I’m unhappy with my lawyer? You may revoke a POA at any time and request your documents and records.
- How do I verify a Turkish lawyer’s license? Ask for their Bar ID and check it with the Bar Association of their province.
- Do I need a lawyer to go to Turkish court? Yes—for most civil, criminal, commercial, and family law matters, legal representation is mandatory.
- Can I change my lawyer after signing a POA? Yes. You can revoke the POA and appoint another lawyer at any time.
- How do I pay my lawyer in Turkey? We accept bank transfers (TRY, EUR, USD), PayPal (for consultation), and issue official invoices.
- Can a Turkish lawyer represent my company? Yes. Through POA, we represent foreign-owned companies in tax, commercial, and corporate matters.
- Are online consultations available? Yes. We offer Zoom, Google Meet, and WhatsApp-based consultations with documentation follow-up.
Conclusion: Legal Support Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Necessity
In Turkey’s fast-moving legal and regulatory environment, hiring a qualified Turkish Law Firm gives you clarity, compliance, and protection. Whether you’re buying real estate, establishing a business, or resolving a dispute, our English Speaking Turkish Lawyers are here to guide you. Don’t leave your legal matters to chance—work with the Best Lawyer in Turkey to make your experience secure, efficient, and successful.