Turkey's Ministry of Customs and Trade ("Ministry") has increased the monetary limits for disputes which can be bought to consumer arbitration boards. Administrative fines under the Consumer Protection Law No: 6502 will also increase 3.83% from 1 January 2017.

Arbitration boards exist in Turkey to settle disputes arising from consumer law (Article 68 of the Consumer Protection Law No: 6502). The Ministry must form at least one such board in each city center and borough, with each type of board subject to separate monetary jurisdiction limits based on its location. From 1 January 2017, monetary caps and jurisdiction for consumer arbitration boards will be arranged as follows:

  • Claims up to TRY 2,400: Boroughs arbitration boards
  • Claims between TRY 2,400-3,610 in provinces which hold metropolis status: Province arbitration boards
  • Claims up to TRY 3,610 in city centres of provinces which do not hold metropolis status: Province arbitration boards
  • Claims between TRY 2,400-3,610 in boroughs of provinces which do not hold metropolis status: Province arbitration boards

Administrative fines under Article 77 of the Consumer Protection Law No: 6502 will also increase by 3.83% from 1 January 2017, as per the revaluation rate set in Tax Procedure Law General Communiqué Number 474 (more).

Please see the links below for the full text of the relevant Communiqués, both published in Official Gazette number 29907 on 3 December 2016 (only available in Turkish):

Information first published in the MA | Gazette, a fortnightly legal update newsletter produced by Moroğlu Arseven.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.