Joint Project on Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members
Discussion held with Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation in Family Law
On 26 January 2023, an important meeting was held with the representatives of the Commission on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye to identify the need for effective cooperation between stakeholders involved in family law and family law procedures, in...
Purchase of services on visual and audio-visual communication materials
Within the scope of the Joint Project on “Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members”, a tender has been launched for the production of visual and audio communication materials (such as infographics, 2D animated films and short video clips) to...
Turkish Authorities Discuss Improvement of Alimony and Compensation Determination Framework
During the roundtable meetings organised under the EU/CoE Joint Project on "Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members”, the national authorities were engaged in active discussion with a focus on improving the framework of alimony and...
Steering Committee of Family Courts Project Convened
The Third 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 Türkiye, was held on 6 October 2022 in Ankara in hybrid format....
Turkish Family Justice Actors Exchange Views with Relevant French Authorities
Under the Joint EU/CoE Project “Improving the Effectiveness of Family Courts: Better Protection of the Rights of Family Members”, a study visit to France was held between 28-30 September 2022. The visit aimed to familiarise Turkish judiciary representatives with the French justice system and...
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
Discussion held with Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation in Family Law
Purchase of services on visual and audio-visual communication materials
Turkish Authorities Discuss Improvement of Alimony and Compensation Determination Framework
Steering Committee of Family Courts Project Convened
Turkish Family Justice Actors Exchange Views with Relevant French Authorities
Turkish Delegation Visits German Family Justice Institutions
Call for tender – Purchase of design, lay-out, printing and publication services.
Consultation on the Results of the Training Needs Analysis aimed at Family Courts
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