The Turkish High Planning Council has announced its 2016 Program ("Program"). The Program addresses economic developments worldwide, as well as reviews the progress and objectives of the Turkish economy. Particular emphasis is placed on increasing the accuracy of judicial decisions and reducing the duration of judicial proceedings. The Program is annexed to the Council of Ministers' Decree on the Implementation, Coordination and Supervision of the 2016 Program, published in Official Gazette number 29602 on 23 January 2016.
The Program addresses Turkey's current situation in areas such as education, healthcare, justice system, security, fundamental rights and freedoms, culture and art, employment and sport. Accordingly, it outlines purposes, objectives, policies and measures for these areas in 2016.
The present condition of Turkey's justice services is reviewed in detail, including policies and measures. Accordingly, establishment of the Istanbul Arbitration Center is explained and it is noted that Regional Courts of Justice and Regional Administrative Courts will start to serve in 20 July 2016 (more information).
The primary objectives are noted as increasing the percentage of the judicial proceedings which are concluded within a reasonable time, along with increasing the accuracy of judgments by improving specialization in judicial services, particularly regarding finance and informatics.
Important policies and measures determined for justice services in the Program include:
- Developing and implementing legal clinics.
- Determining and applying optimal terms for proceedings and investigations, based on different dispute types.
- Establishing the legal aid insurance system.
- Preparing draft legislation for class actions.
- Establishing mandatory mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods for expeditious resolution of labor disputes.
- Forming a "judicial data bank" to enable collection and analysis of data required for judicial studies.
- Reducing dependency on courts during execution proceedings.
- Regulating code of conduct for the judges and prosecutors.
Please see this link for the full text of the 2016 Program (only available in Turkish).
Information first published in the MA | Gazette, a fortnightly legal update newsletter produced by Moroğlu Arseven.
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