Joint Project on Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members

Draft Divorce Case-Flow Management Guidelines Evaluated by Stakeholders
Workshop on the Divorce Case-Flow Management Guidelines was organised in Ankara on 27-28 April 2022 within the scope of the EU-CoE Joint Project on “Increasing the Effectiveness of the Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members”. The Guidelines aiming at increasing the...
Surveys concerning Efficiency of Family Courts were conducted in Pilot Courthouses
Court-user satisfaction and self-assessment surveys have been conducted within the scope of the Baseline Study, Gap and Needs Analysis activity of the EU-CoE Joint Project on “Increasing the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members”, implemented by the...
Steering Committee of Family Courts Project Convened for the Second Time
The Second Steering Committee Meeting of the EU-CoE Joint Project on “Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members”, implemented by the Council of Europe and the Justice Academy of Turkey, was held on 5 April 2022 in Ankara in hybrid format....
Implementation of the Law No. 6284 was Opened to Discussion in Kars
“Workshop on Improving the Implementation of Law No. 6284 on Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence against Women” took place on 16-18 March 2022 in Kars within the scope of the EU-CoE Project titled “Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family...
Focus Group Meetings Held for the Training Needs Analysis for Family Courts
The first two of the focus group meetings with target groups took place online on 25 February 2022 within the scope of the EU-CoE Joint Project on “Increasing the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members”, implemented by the Council of Europe and the...

Project Description
This Project’s overall objective is to ensure rule of law and fundamental rights in Turkey fully in line with international and European standards. Improving the effectiveness of family courts in protecting the rights of women, children and other family members is the specific objective of the Project.
The Project aims at equipping judges at family courts and public prosecutors working in the domestic violence bureaus, candidate judges and prosecutors, staff of family courts and experts (pedagogues, psychologists and social workers) with capacities and skills in the areas that would directly contribute to ensuring family justice, individual rights and child friendly justice. Increased specialisation of judges, prosecutors, court staff and experts through trainings in the scope of the Project will address issues of delay and uncertainty and improve consideration of cases involving vulnerable and high-risk service users to alleviate considerable stress for all parties concerned and lessen the possibility of secondary trauma.
The Project will assist the Turkish judiciary in improving rights of family members through standard-settings and practical tools such as guidelines and handbooks to be applied in the family court procedures in a consistent manner throughout the country. The Project aims at delivering the most accessible justice in the shortest time to those who seek it. Most importantly, the protection and promotion of family members’ wellbeing will be a crucial consideration throughout its implementation.
Effective co-operation among the stakeholders involved in family law and family court procedures is expected to be established through the Project. Awareness raising activities will also be conducted.
Project Information
Title of the Project: Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members
Duration: 33 months (20 March 2021 – 19 December 2023)
Place/Country: Turkey
Budget: 2.223.000 €
Funding: This Project is co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe.
End Beneficiary: Justice Academy of Turkey
Target Groups: Ministry of Justice, judges, public prosecutors, candidate judges and prosecutors, experts, court staff, lawyers, academia, public/court users.
Project Activities
Expected Result 1:
- Conducting Baseline Study, Gap and Needs Analysis
- Improving Divorce Procedures and their Effective Application to Prevent Trauma
- Improving the Framework of the Alimony and Compensation Determination
- Improving the Application of the Principle of the Best Interest of the Child and Custody Arrangements
- Assessment of ADR Mechanisms in Family Law Procedures
- Improving the Applications of Law No.6284 and Case-flow and Prosecution Management in Domestic Violence
- Review of the Legal Framework
- Study Visits for the Analysis of Best Practices in the European Countries
Expected Result 2:
- Training Need Analysis (TNA)
- Design of Training Programme and Modules (working groups)
- Delivery of Training Programme
- Evaluation of the Training Programme
Expected Result 3:
- Increasing Legal Collaboration in Family Law Practices
- Establishment of a Collaboration Mechanism
- Organisation of Regular Collaboration Meetings
- Multi-sectoral institutional collaboration and pilot implementation
Expected Result 4:
- Information Needs Assessment
- Design and Implementation of Awareness Raising Activities for the Public
- Design and Implementation of Awareness Raising Activities for the Court Users
Project Results
The following results are expected to be achieved through this Project:
- Effectiveness and functioning of the family courts and office of public prosecutors are enhanced.
- Capacities of judges, public prosecutors and experts are enhanced regarding key human rights and family law issues.
- Co-operation mechanisms among stakeholders are improved.
- Awareness of public regarding family court proceedings is increased.



Project News
Draft Divorce Case-Flow Management Guidelines Evaluated by Stakeholders
Surveys concerning Efficiency of Family Courts were conducted in Pilot Courthouses
Steering Committee of Family Courts Project Convened for the Second Time
Implementation of the Law No. 6284 was Opened to Discussion in Kars
Focus Group Meetings Held for the Training Needs Analysis for Family Courts
EU and Council of Europe launch joint project to support family courts in Turkey
Launching Conference of the Family Courts Project to be held on 18 January can be followed live.
ADR Mechanisms in Family Law Discussed at a Comprehensive Workshop
Recommendations of Experts on Effective Divorce Proceedings Evaluated by Stakeholders
Call for tender – Procurement of services for printing and publication
Problems and Proposed Solutions Regarding Effective Divorce Proceedings Discussed
Pilot Court Judges Selected Under the Family Courts Project Have Been Informed on the Project
E-Library regarding Family Justice is Open for Access
A new Project on Improving Effectiveness of the Family Courts has started