Sema Tut Arslan Attorney & Legal Counsel TR/EN

Frequently Asked Questions

What clients ask

The questions I am asked most often about working with a Turkish attorney. If your question is not answered here, please get in touch.

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When should I consult a lawyer?

Before any step with legal consequences — signing a contract, serving a formal notice, or commencing proceedings. Legal advice obtained before a dispute arises is almost always less costly than advice sought afterwards.

How do I arrange a consultation?

You can reach me by telephone, by e-mail or through the contact form on this site. In the initial consultation we assess the scope of your matter together, and I share the proposed course of action and the basis of my fees transparently.

How are legal fees determined?

Fees are set according to the nature, scope and expected workload of the matter, and may not fall below the Minimum Attorney Fee Tariff published annually by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations. For each file the fee is agreed in writing in the engagement letter.

What should I bring to the first meeting?

Please bring every document related to the matter — contracts, correspondence, official notifications and court papers. Complete documentation allows a realistic assessment from the outset.

Can you act for me if I live abroad?

Yes. Once a power of attorney is issued — at a Turkish consulate if you are abroad — your file can be conducted without you being present in Türkiye. Meetings are held by telephone or video conference and your file is followed through the national UYAP system.

Do you work in English?

Correspondence and client meetings can be conducted in English. Please note that proceedings before Turkish courts are conducted in Turkish, and official documents in a foreign language require a sworn translation and, where applicable, an apostille.

How will I be kept informed about my case?

You are notified of every significant development in your file — hearings, interim decisions, expert reports and official notifications. You may also ask for an update at any time by telephone or e-mail.

What is mediation and when is it mandatory?

Mediation allows parties to resolve a dispute with an independent mediator without going to court. It is a precondition to bringing proceedings in employment claims, commercial disputes, most lease disputes and certain consumer matters.

Which districts of Hatay do you serve?

My office is in Antakya, and I act across the whole province — including İskenderun, Defne, Dörtyol, Samandağ, Kırıkhan, Reyhanlı, Arsuz, Belen, Erzin, Altınözü, Hassa, Kumlu, Payas and Yayladağı.

Is our discussion confidential?

Absolutely. The attorney–client relationship is subject to a duty of professional secrecy; under Attorneys' Act No. 1136 and the rules of professional conduct, nothing you share is disclosed to third parties under any circumstances.