23.01.2025 18:11
The details of the "Turkey Century Judicial Reform Strategy Document" announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have been revealed. According to the document, which plans changes in many areas ranging from rights and freedoms to the functioning of the justice system, from enhancing the human resources process in the judiciary to amendments in certain laws, it is also planned to increase some penalties.
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The Strategy Document for the Turkish Century Judiciary Reform, covering the years 2025-2029, was announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Ministry of Justice received 55,000 opinions as part of the new reform system studies, and 12,000 stakeholder surveys were conducted. The first Judiciary Reform Strategy Document of the Turkish Century, which consists of 5 objectives, 45 targets, and 264 activities, is prepared with a vision of a justice system based on the rule of law, predictable, and timely, covering the years 2025-2029.
LEGAL PROCESSES WILL BE MADE MORE EFFECTIVE
The document includes 5 objectives under the headings of "strengthening the institutional structure and restructuring processes, enhancing human resources capacity, increasing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, improving the effectiveness of legal and administrative litigation processes, and facilitating access to justice."
APPEALS AND REVIEW PROCESSES WILL BE CONCLUDED WITHIN A MAXIMUM OF 6 MONTHS
With the Judiciary Reform Strategy Document, efforts will be made for a new democratic, civil constitution based on the rule of law in the Turkish Century. A new Human Rights Action Plan will be prepared for more effective protection of rights and freedoms, and new courts will be established and put into operation. Appeals and review processes will be concluded within a maximum of 6 months, and a direct appeal system will be introduced for certain disputes.
HEARINGS CAN BE POSTPONED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 2 MONTHS
The announced Strategy Document will ensure compliance with the principle of uninterrupted continuation of hearings, and in exceptional cases specified in the law, hearings can be postponed for a maximum of 2 months. Artificial intelligence systems supporting judicial activities will be developed.
NEW EXAM FOR LAW FACULTIES
One of the prominent topics in the Strategy Document is raising the success ranking for admission to law faculties. Additionally, a Law Research Center will be established within the Turkey Justice Academy. Lines that do not update their telephone subscription records within a certain period will be disconnected. Regulations will be made to allow for the application of detention measures based on strong suspicion that a person's behavior will lead to the commission of a new crime, considering the manner of the crime and the serious threat to public order for crimes with a maximum prison sentence of no more than two years and subject to a prohibition on detention.
DRIVER'S LICENSE OF A DRIVER WHO GETS OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE INTENT TO ATTACK IN TRAFFIC WILL BE CONFISCATED
The penalties for traffic offenses and misdemeanors that endanger traffic safety will be redefined with deterrence in mind. Behaviors such as getting out of the vehicle with the intent to attack will be subject to independent penalties, including the revocation of the driver's license. Leaving the scene of a traffic accident resulting in death or injury without necessity will be regulated as a separate crime. The Judiciary Reform Strategy Document also aims to facilitate access to justice.
Other topics included in the Turkish Century Judiciary Reform Strategy Document are as follows:
STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE AND RESTRUCTURING PROCESSES
- Efforts will be made for a new democratic, civil constitution based on the rule of law in the Turkish Century.
- A new human rights action plan will be prepared for more effective protection of rights and freedoms.
- New courts will be established and put into operation.
- Specialized courts for drug use and trafficking offenses will be designated.
- Appeals and review processes will be concluded within a maximum of 6 months.
- A direct appeal system will be introduced for certain disputes.
- The principle of uninterrupted continuation of hearings will be ensured, and in exceptional cases specified in the law, hearings can be postponed for a maximum of 2 months.
- Artificial intelligence systems supporting judicial activities will be developed.
- A notary assistant institution where law faculty graduates will serve will be established.
STRENGTHENING HUMAN RESOURCES CAPACITY
- The success ranking for admission to law faculties will be raised.
- A "Law Research Center" will be established within the Turkey Justice Academy.
- The career opportunities of justice personnel will be increased, and a justice services class will be created in the civil servants law.
INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
- Regulations will be made to address issues arising from confiscation and forfeiture in criminal proceedings, especially for fraud and theft offenses committed using banking and information systems.
- To prevent crimes, the establishment of telephone subscriptions will be strictly regulated with identity verification methods.
- Lines that do not update their telephone subscription records within a certain period will be disconnected.
- Regulations will be made to allow for the application of detention measures based on strong suspicion that a person's behavior will lead to the commission of a new crime, considering the manner of the crime and the serious threat to public order for crimes with a maximum prison sentence of no more than two years and subject to a prohibition on detention.
- The fixed-rate supervised release application will be reevaluated in terms of the deterrence of penalties.
- The penalties for traffic offenses and misdemeanors that endanger traffic safety will be redefined with deterrence in mind.
- Behaviors such as getting out of the vehicle with the intent to attack will be subject to independent penalties, including the revocation of the driver's license.
- Leaving the scene of a traffic accident resulting in death or injury without necessity will be regulated as a separate crime.
- The penalties for crimes committed by organized groups for the purpose of committing crimes will be increased, especially for crimes against bodily integrity, freedom, and the environment.
- The penalty for carrying weapons capable of firing sound and gas cartridges without permission will be increased.
- Penalties for individuals firing weapons at gatherings such as engagements, weddings, and military send-offs will be increased, including those using sound and gas cartridges.
- Independent penal institutions suitable for the rehabilitation of drug addicts will be established.
INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LITIGATION PROCESSES
- The shortcomings of divorce law, including financial consequences, will be reviewed, and a new divorce procedure will be developed in accordance with the rights and interests of the parties and children.
- A family mediation institution will be introduced for non-violent family disputes.
- A pilot case application will be implemented in administrative dispute cases.
- A new enforcement and bankruptcy law will be prepared, taking into account the delicate balance between creditors and debtors.
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FACILITATING ACCESS TO JUSTICE
- Investigation offices for domestic violence and crimes against women will be expanded.
- Court service buildings will be constructed with elderly and disabled-friendly, accessible, and sufficient social spaces.
- Legal clinic practices will be expanded in law faculties.
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