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International Arbitration in Turkey — Resolving Complex Disputes Across Borders

Özgören Law Firm advises clients on international commercial and investment arbitration — representing parties before ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL, and HKIAC, with experience spanning Europe, Asia, and North America.

International arbitration demands
both precision and strategy

Turkey's arbitration landscape — shaped by the International Arbitration Law (MTMY) and aligned with the UNCITRAL Model Law — offers a robust framework for resolving cross-border disputes. Özgören Law Firm navigates this framework with fluency in both the legal and commercial dimensions of each case.

Our practice is built on prevention first, resolution when necessary. We begin by drafting precise arbitration clauses and dispute resolution frameworks before a conflict arises. When disputes cannot be avoided, we advocate decisively at every stage — from the Request for Arbitration to enforcement of the final award.

Selin Özgören's hands-on experience at the UNCITRAL Secretariat in Vienna, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), and in proceedings across Europe and North America gives the firm a genuinely global perspective — rooted in deep knowledge of Turkish law.

Where a dispute demands it, we draw on our global network of specialist counsel to assemble project-based international teams — bringing the right expertise to your case, wherever it arises.

Turkey is a party to over 100 bilateral investment treaties, making investment treaty arbitration an increasingly relevant tool for foreign investors facing state interference, expropriation, or regulatory measures that erode the value of their investments. Özgören Law Firm advises both investors and states on the full spectrum of investment treaty claims — from treaty analysis and pre-claim structuring through to proceedings before ICSID and UNCITRAL tribunals.

When an arbitral award is obtained, enforcing it is often as important as winning it. Turkey's ratification of the 1958 New York Convention means that foreign awards are enforceable before Turkish courts, and Turkish awards are recognised in over 170 countries. We advise clients on enforcement strategy from the outset of a case — identifying assets, anticipating resistance, and coordinating with counsel across jurisdictions to ensure the award translates into a real outcome.

"Assisting clients both in the resolution of disputes and in the prevention of future conflicts through careful structuring and drafting."

Arbitration services

A

International Commercial Arbitration

Cross-border dispute resolution
  • Counsel and co-counsel in ICC, UNCITRAL, HKIAC proceedings
  • Contract disputes, joint ventures, M&A, and supply chain conflicts
  • Drafting of submissions, memorials, and legal opinions
B

Investment Treaty Arbitration

BIT & multilateral treaty claims
  • ICSID and UNCITRAL proceedings involving the Turkish State
  • Claims under bilateral investment treaties (BITs)
  • Expropriation, fair and equitable treatment, energy disputes
C

Arbitration Clause & Contract Drafting

Proactive dispute prevention
  • Tailored arbitration clauses and dispute resolution frameworks
  • International contract structuring and governing law analysis
  • Sanctions and regulatory exposure assessment
D

Tribunal Secretary Services

Procedural support in complex arbitrations
  • Independent administrative and procedural coordination
  • Timetable management and institutional liaison
  • Management of evidentiary and hearing processes
E

Award Enforcement & Challenge

Recognition and execution
  • Enforcement of foreign awards in Turkey (New York Convention)
  • Challenge proceedings before Turkish courts
  • Multi-jurisdictional enforcement strategy and coordination
F

Pre-Dispute Strategic Advisory

Risk identification before conflict arises
  • Early dispute evaluation and strategic case assessment
  • Contractual vulnerability mapping
  • Cross-border enforcement risk analysis

From first briefing
to final award

01

Case Assessment

We analyse the dispute, applicable law, and governing arbitration rules — providing an honest strategic evaluation before any commitment.

02

Strategy & Filing

We design the litigation strategy, draft the Request for Arbitration or Answer, and manage tribunal constitution and procedural timetables.

03

Evidence & Hearings

Preparation of written submissions, witness statements, and expert coordination — culminating in precise oral advocacy at the hearing.

04

Award & Enforcement

Post-award strategy including challenge proceedings, recognition, and multi-jurisdictional enforcement to convert the award into real results.

Frequently asked
about arbitration
in Turkey

If you have a question not answered here, feel free to reach out directly.

Why choose arbitration over Turkish courts?
International arbitration offers neutrality, confidentiality, the ability to select specialised arbitrators, procedural flexibility, and awards enforceable in 170+ countries under the New York Convention. For cross-border disputes, it generally avoids concerns about local judicial bias and produces a globally enforceable outcome.
Is Turkey a signatory to the New York Convention?
Yes. Turkey ratified the 1958 New York Convention in 1992. Foreign arbitral awards are therefore enforceable in Turkey — subject to the limited grounds for refusal under Article V — and Turkish awards are likewise enforceable in the 170+ signatory states.
Which institutions are most commonly used for disputes involving Turkey?
The ICC Court of Arbitration (Paris) is the most frequently used institution for Turkish cross-border commercial disputes. ICSID is the primary forum for investment treaty claims against the Turkish State. HKIAC, ISTAC, LCIA, and UNCITRAL ad hoc proceedings are also regularly encountered.
How long does an international arbitration typically take?
A straightforward ICC arbitration may be concluded in 12–18 months; complex multi-party or investment treaty cases can extend to 3–5 years. Emergency arbitration proceedings can produce decisions within days. We provide realistic timeline assessments at the outset of each matter.
Can you represent clients based outside Turkey?
Yes. Our practice is international by nature. We advise and represent clients across Europe, Asia, and North America, and regularly appear in arbitrations seated outside Turkey. We are fluent in English and Turkish, and coordinate with local counsel in other jurisdictions as needed.
Do you assist with drafting arbitration clauses before a dispute arises?
Absolutely — and this is one of the most important services we offer. A poorly drafted arbitration clause can render an entire dispute resolution mechanism unenforceable. We advise on clause drafting as a core part of transaction structuring, tailored to the governing law, seat of arbitration, and the specific risks of each deal.

Contact

Let's Work Together

Available for international arbitration mandates, co-counsel engagements, and pre-dispute advisory.