Mediation in Turkey is a fast, confidential and cost-effective way to resolve disputes without going to court. At Just & Fair Mediation Centre, affiliated with Bıçak Law Firm, we support Turkish and international clients in commercial mediation, labour mediation, cunsumer mediation and cross-border dispute resolution. Our accredited mediators and legal team help you reach an enforceable settlement under Turkish law, while protecting relationships and reducing litigation risk. Need support? Contact our mediators to discuss whether mediation is the right option for your dispute.

What is Mediation and Who is a Mediator?

Under Turkish law, mediation is a voluntary dispute resolution method where an independent and impartial third person facilitates communication between the parties, helping them negotiate and reach their own solution.

A mediator is a real person registered with the Ministry of Justice’s official mediator registry. Mediators must act independently, neutrally and confidentially, and they inform the parties at the outset about the process and its potential outcomes.

In practice, mediation resolves a large portion of labour and commercial disputes efficiently and helps reduce court workload.

Voluntary vs. Mandatory Mediation in Turkey

Mediation in Turkey can be:

• Voluntary Mediation: Parties may choose mediation before filing a lawsuit or during litigation. Courts may also encourage mediation at any stage. 
• Mandatory Mediation (a prerequisite for some claims): Since 1 January 2019, Turkish law requires mandatory mediation before filing certain commercial claims involving monetary receivables or compensation. If a lawsuit is filed without completing mandatory mediation, the court dismisses it procedurally.

Mandatory mediation does not prevent parties from using voluntary mediation earlier or in parallel if they wish. 

Time Limits

The mediator must complete the process within six weeks from appointment, with a possible extension of up to two additional weeks if necessary.  This short statutory timeframe is one reason mediation in Turkey is significantly faster than court proceedings.

Scope of Mediation (Commercial, Labour, IP & More)

The scope of mediation in Turkey covers many disputes, including but not limited to:

• Commercial disputes between companies or individuals
• Labour & employment disputes
• Intellectual property (IP) disputes
• Banking and financial services disputes (including recourse lending)
• M&A / business acquisitions and merger disputes
• Agency, distributorship, dealership, brokerage and publishing contract disputes Bıçak Hukuk

If you are unsure whether your dispute falls within mandatory mediation, our team will assess your case and advise the correct strategy.

Our Mediation Services at Just & Fair Mediation Centre

We provide end-to-end mediation support in Turkey, including:

• Case assessment and suitability review
• Selection and appointment of a qualified mediator
• Preparation of mediation strategy and position statements
• Representation of clients throughout mediation sessions
• Drafting and legal review of settlement agreements
• Enforcement guidance after settlement

Any agreement reached through mediation becomes binding once written and signed, and it is enforceable like a court judgment.

Why Choose Mediation? Key Advantages

Mediation offers practical and legal benefits compared to litigation:

• Confidential process protected by law
• Neutral third-party facilitation by a certified mediator
• Time-efficient resolution often in weeks rather than years
• Cost savings by avoiding prolonged litigation
• Party control over the outcome (mediator never imposes a decision)
• Preserves commercial relationships and reputation
• Flexible scheduling and informal procedure
• Higher compliance rates with mutually agreed outcomes Bıçak Hukuk

Our lawyers also support you before and during mediation by clarifying legal rights, evaluating strengths and weaknesses, estimating costs, and helping craft negotiation strategies.

Mediation Process – Step by Step

A typical mediation in Turkey follows these stages:

• Application & appointment of mediator
• Pre-mediation calls with each party or counsel
• Opening joint session (if suitable)
• Private meetings (shuttle mediation) to explore positions
• Negotiation & offers facilitated by the mediator
• Settlement drafting by counsel
• Signing of final agreement

The process can be adapted depending on the dispute and parties’ needs, including lawyer-only sessions or commercial-only meetings.

Mediation Fees & Costs in Turkey

Mediator fees are negotiated case-by-case depending on complexity, value and mediator expertise. Fixed-fee packages are often possible, with hourly fees for additional time. By regulation, average mediation fees in Turkey vary depending on mediator seniority and session time. Usually, parties share mediator costs equally, while each party pays its own legal representation unless agreed otherwise. 

International Mediation & the Singapore Convention

Turkey signed and ratified the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which entered into force in Turkey on 11 April 2022.  This Convention strengthens the enforceability of international mediation settlements, making mediation a reliable tool for cross-border commercial disputes involving Turkish and foreign parties. 

Why Just & Fair Mediation Centre?

Just & Fair Mediation Centre has operated for fifteen years, affiliated with Bıçak Law Firm, with the mission to promote high-standard mediation in Turkey and globally. We are based in Turkey and serve clients nationwide and internationally, offering mediation in English and Turkish, and coordinating multi-party or cross-border disputes with a pragmatic, settlement-focused approach.

For Mediation Training Courses, please visit;

• Mediation Training Workshop
• Court vs Mediation vs Arbitration: Claims and Dispute Management 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Is mediation mandatory in Turkey? Yes, for certain commercial and labour disputes involving monetary claims, mediation is a legal prerequisite before filing a lawsuit. 
• How long does mediation take? The statutory period is six weeks, extendable by two weeks. Many cases settle earlier.
• Is a mediation settlement enforceable? Yes. Once signed, it is binding and enforceable like a court judgment.
• Can foreigners or foreign companies use mediation in Turkey? Absolutely. We regularly assist foreign clients and handle cross-border mediation supported by the Singapore Convention. 
• Do I need a lawyer in mediation? Not mandatory, but strongly recommended – especially for commercial disputes – so your legal position and settlement terms are protected. 

Contact Us for Mediation Services in Turkey

If you need mediation services in Turkey, whether for a commercial dispute, labour conflict, IP matter or international settlement, our team is ready to help.

Contact Just & Fair Mediation Centre –  Bıçak Law Firm

• Serving all Türkiye
• Rapid appointment & case assessment
• English & Turkish mediation support

Send us a message through the contact form or call us directly to schedule a consultation.