Execution Enforcement in Turkey
Execution enforcement refers to the process of ensuring that the creditor’s debt is collected
through the use of public force through Execution Directorates in case of non-payment of a
due debt. Execution enforcement is considered in two different types depending on the basis of the
enforcement;
Enforcement Without a Decree
Enforcement without a decree is the type of enforcement initiated for the collection of
monetary and security claims. In this type of enforcement, it is not necessary for the creditor
to have a document proving the debt. If the debt is based on a court decision or a document
with the nature of a decree, the enforcement with a decree should be resorted to instead of this
type of enforcement.
Enforcement without a decree should be filed at the Execution Directorate in the debtor’s
place of residence, except for exceptions. Enforcement without a decree begins with a file prepared by the Execution Directorate upon the creditor’s enforcement request. The Execution Directorate prepares a payment order regarding the debt and serves it to the debtor.
In enforcement without a decree, the debtor has 7 days to object. If no objection is made
within 7 days in accordance with the procedure, the enforcement becomes final. This period is
5 days in enforcement based on negotiable instruments (check, promissory note, bill of
exchange). After the enforcement becomes final, the creditor has the right to seize the debtor’s
assets and convert them into cash through the Execution Directorate.
Execution Enforcement in Turkey
The person who appears as the debtor in an execution proceeding can stop the execution by
objecting within the specified period. In this case, the creditor must either file a lawsuit to
cancel the objection or request the removal of the objection, depending on the basis of the
execution. Lawsuit for Cancellation of Objection If the debtor objects to the execution within
the legal period, and the creditor wants to continue the execution, they must file a lawsuit to
cancel the objection in the competent court. The creditor can file a lawsuit for the cancellation
of objection within 1 year from the debtor’s objection to the execution.
The period to file a lawsuit starts from the notification of the debtor’s objection letter to the creditor. If the lawsuit results in favor of the creditor, the execution proceeds from where it left off. In this case, the
court’s decision does not need to be finalized. If requested in the lawsuit petition, the creditor
is entitled to an execution-denial compensation, not less than 20 percent in their favor.
Removal of Objection The removal of objection, unlike the lawsuit for cancellation of
objection, is a procedure specific to the Execution and Bankruptcy Law, and does not have the
nature of a lawsuit. It provides the opportunity to continue the execution without the need to
prove the debt, in the presence of certain documents in the creditor’s possession. It is divided
into two categories: the definite removal of objection and the temporary removal of objection.
Definite Removal of Objection
The definite removal of objection is applicable when the debtor objects to the execution. The
request for the definite removal of objection can be made within 6 months from the
notification of the objection to the creditor. This option can be used if the creditor has the
documents listed in Article 68-b of the Execution and Bankruptcy Law.
The documents that the creditor must have to use this option are:
- A valid promissory note accepting a monetary debt and with an accepted signature,
- Receipts, invoices, or documents issued by official authorities in accordance with the
procedures, - Promissory notes with an accepted signature or notarized by a notary,
- Credit agreements and unchallenged account statements related to them,
- Documents or receipts issued by the lenders in accordance with the procedures.
After examining the request for the definite removal of objection, the court will decide to
continue the execution and to definitively remove the objection if it finds the creditor
justified. If the request is rejected by the court, the execution proceedings will not continue,
and the creditor will be deprived of the right to carry out an enforcement proceeding without a
court order for the same debt.
Temporary Removal of Objection
In order for the creditor to use this option after the objection to the execution, the document in
question must be an ordinary promissory note, it must unconditionally accept a monetary
debt, and the debtor must deny the signature on the document.
The request for the temporary removal of objection can be made within 6 months from the
notification of the document stating the debtor’s objection to the creditor.
If a decision is made to temporarily remove the objection, the creditor can request temporary
attachment instead of continuing the execution.
Within 7 days from the notification of the decision regarding the temporary removal of
objection, the debtor can file a lawsuit to be released from the debt. If the debtor does not file
this lawsuit within the 7-day legal period, the temporary removal of objection will turn into a
definite removal of objection. In this case, the creditor can request the continuation of the
execution.