Turkish Debt Recovery Lawyers | Collect Outstanding Debts in Turkey from the UK

Turkish Debt Recovery Lawyers | Collect Outstanding Debts in Turkey from the UK

If you are owed money by an individual or business in Turkey, recovering that debt from the UK presents unique legal challenges. Turkish debt collection law is a specialised area, and without local legal expertise, creditors risk delays, procedural errors, and the loss of their right to recover entirely if time limits are missed.

At Kaya Legal, our London-based Turkish lawyers work directly with Turkish enforcement offices and courts to recover debts on behalf of UK-based creditors. We pursue outstanding payments through the most effective route available under Turkish law — whether through formal enforcement proceedings, negotiated settlement, or litigation.

Turkish Debt Recovery: The Legal Framework

Debt recovery in Turkey is primarily governed by the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law (İcra ve İflas Kanunu). This law provides creditors with a range of enforcement tools, including payment orders, asset seizure, and bankruptcy proceedings. The process is administered through Turkish Enforcement Offices (İcra Müdürlükleri), which operate under the supervision of civil courts.

Routes to Debt Recovery in Turkey

  • General payment order (ilamsız icra): Used where there is no court judgment. The creditor files an application with the Enforcement Office, which issues a payment order to the debtor. If the debtor does not object within 7 days, enforcement can proceed immediately. If the debtor objects, the creditor must obtain a court judgment before enforcement continues.
  • Enforcement of a court judgment (ilamlı icra): If you already hold a Turkish court judgment or an arbitration award, enforcement can proceed directly without a new payment order. This is the fastest route to asset seizure and recovery.
  • Enforcement of a UK judgment in Turkey: A UK court judgment can be enforced in Turkey through a Turkish court recognition and enforcement (tenfiz) procedure. We advise on whether your specific judgment qualifies and manage the tenfiz process.
  • Bankruptcy proceedings: Where a debtor company is unable to pay its debts, bankruptcy proceedings may be appropriate. This is typically pursued in conjunction with other enforcement action.

Limitation Periods in Turkey

Turkish law imposes strict limitation periods on debt claims. The general limitation period under the Turkish Code of Obligations is 10 years, but shorter periods apply to specific claim types — for example, 5 years for commercial claims between traders. Missing the limitation period extinguishes your right to recover the debt through court proceedings. We advise on applicable time limits as part of our initial assessment of your case.

How We Help UK Creditors

  • Initial assessment of the strength and enforceability of your debt claim
  • Filing payment orders with Turkish Enforcement Offices
  • Pursuing Turkish court proceedings where required
  • Enforcing UK court judgments in Turkey (tenfiz proceedings)
  • Asset tracing and identification of Turkish assets available for seizure
  • Negotiated settlement and debt restructuring
  • Advice on limitation periods and urgent action to preserve claims

If you have an outstanding debt owed by a Turkish individual or business, contact our team for an assessment of your recovery options.