Commercial and Corporate Law

Commercial and corporate law governs the relationships between shareholders, managers and third parties throughout a company’s life, from incorporation to liquidation. Its principal source in Turkey is the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102, which regulates the corporate bodies of capital companies, share transfers, capital increases and decreases, mergers, demergers and conversions, and the liability of board members and managers.

In day-to-day operations, adopting general assembly and board resolutions in due form, completing trade registry registrations and announcements on time and keeping corporate books and records up to date are decisive in preventing future disputes. Companies with foreign capital must also observe the notification requirements under the Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875 and related legislation.

In share transfers, shareholders’ agreements and acquisitions, legal due diligence and careful negotiation allow the parties to identify risks in advance. Disputes between shareholders, actions for the annulment of general assembly resolutions, exit or exclusion of shareholders and management liability claims are resolved before the commercial courts or in arbitration. For most commercial claims seeking payment of a sum of money, mediation is a mandatory pre-condition to filing a lawsuit.

Our firm advises companies from incorporation to corporate governance, through changes in their shareholding structure, and represents them in commercial disputes. In our work we take into account our clients’ commercial objectives as well as regulatory compliance.