The Consumer Courts, which were established in Turkey to protect the rights of consumers, are an important legal mechanism that you can refer to when you have problems with the products or services you have purchased. In this article, we will discuss the process of applying to the Consumer Court in Turkey, the conditions for filing a lawsuit and the importance of lawyers in this process.
Conditions for Applying to the Consumer Court in Turkey
- Relevant legal regulations: Consumers who can apply to the Consumer Court in Turkey are determined within the scope of the Consumer Protection Law No. 6502 and the relevant legislation.
- Dispute value: In order to apply to the Consumer Court, the dispute value must be above a certain amount. This amount is re-determined every year and you can find up-to-date information on the official websites.
- Consumer Arbitration Committee: For consumer problems with low dispute value, the Consumer Arbitration Committee should be applied first. Decisions made by the arbitral tribunal are binding on the parties. However, the parties have the right to object to the decision, in which case an application can be made to the Consumer Court.
Process of Litigation in Consumer Court
- Preparation of application file: In order to apply to the Consumer Court, the application petition and the documents related to the product or service subject to the lawsuit (invoice, warranty certificate, contract, etc.) must be submitted as a file.
- Attorney support: In the process of litigation in the Consumer Court, it is important for consumers to receive legal support so that they can defend their rights more effectively. By managing the litigation process, lawyers prevent disruptions and time losses that may occur in legal processes.
- Hearing process: After the case is filed in the Consumer Court, the hearing process begins to take the statements of the parties and present the evidence. During the hearing, the consumer and the seller/manufacturer (or their lawyers) present their defenses to the court.
- Decision phase: After the hearing process is completed, the court evaluates all the evidence and the defenses of the parties and makes a decision. From the announcement of the court decision, an appeal can be made within 15 days from the date of notification of the decision.
Execution of Consumer Court Decisions
- Enforcement process: For the execution of the decision of the Consumer Court in your favor, the decision must be finalized. Finalized decisions can be executed by applying to the relevant enforcement office.
- The role of the lawyer: Your lawyer’s support is important during the execution of the decision. Your lawyer will follow the enforcement process and assist you in collecting your receivables and implementing the decision.
Conclusion
In Turkey, the Consumer Court is an important legal mechanism that protects the rights of consumers and can apply in case of dispute. In this process, you can defend your rights more effectively and speed up the litigation process by getting the support of a lawyer. Our law firm in Istanbul is pleased to support you in the process of applying to the Consumer Court and litigation processes.
