Introduction Search and seizure in Turkish drug investigations is one of the most important procedural issues in criminal defence. In narcotics cases, the prosecution usually relies heavily on physical evidence: a substance found in a pocket, bag, vehicle, residence, hotel room, workplace, cargo package or storage area. However, the mere existence of a narcotic substance […]
Introduction Drug law in Turkey is one of the strictest and most sensitive areas of Turkish criminal law. Turkish legislation does not treat narcotics offences merely as individual acts. Instead, drug-related crimes are considered offences against public health, public order and social safety. For this reason, Turkish courts, public prosecutors and law enforcement authorities approach […]
Introduction Constitutional guarantees in Turkish criminal proceedings are essential safeguards against arbitrary prosecution, unlawful detention, unfair trial and disproportionate punishment. Criminal proceedings are among the strongest expressions of state power. Through criminal justice, the State may investigate individuals, restrict liberty, search private spaces, seize property, collect evidence, prosecute, convict and impose penalties. For this reason, […]
Introduction Administrative sanctions are among the most common tools used by public authorities in Türkiye. They may appear as administrative fines, license cancellations, temporary business closures, disciplinary penalties, public procurement bans, regulatory penalties, environmental fines, tax penalties, customs sanctions, professional restrictions, traffic penalties, zoning sanctions and many other measures. Although administrative sanctions are not always […]
Introduction The social state principle is one of the fundamental characteristics of the Republic of Türkiye. It reflects the constitutional idea that the State is not merely a passive guardian of public order, but also an institution responsible for promoting social justice, protecting vulnerable persons, reducing inequality and creating conditions for individuals to live with […]
Introduction The right to education is one of the most important social and constitutional rights under Turkish law. It directly affects individual development, social mobility, equality of opportunity, democratic participation and the ability of individuals to exercise other fundamental rights. Education is not only a public service; it is also a constitutional guarantee. In Türkiye, […]
Introduction Property rights are among the most important constitutional guarantees in Türkiye. They protect individuals, companies, investors and legal entities against arbitrary interference with their assets, economic interests and legally recognized possessions. In Turkish constitutional law, property is not only a private law concept. It is also a fundamental right protected against unlawful, disproportionate or […]
Introduction The presidential system under the Turkish Constitution represents one of the most significant constitutional transformations in the modern legal history of Türkiye. The constitutional amendments adopted in 2017 changed the structure of government by replacing the former parliamentary model with a presidential model in which executive power is vested in the President of the […]
Introduction The rule of law and constitutional democracy are two of the most important pillars of the Turkish constitutional system. They define how public power is exercised, how state authorities are limited, how fundamental rights are protected and how individuals may seek remedies against unlawful or disproportionate interference by public authorities. In Türkiye, constitutional democracy […]
Introduction Turkish constitutional law forms the legal and political foundation of the Republic of Türkiye. It regulates the organization of the State, defines the powers of legislative, executive and judicial bodies, protects fundamental rights and freedoms, and establishes the constitutional identity of the Republic. For individuals, companies, investors, public authorities and legal practitioners, understanding Turkish […]