Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Turkey

Second Working Group Meeting was held on the revised manuals on conciliation developed for legal practitioners in Turkey
The second working group meeting was held on 10-11 May 2022 in Ankara within the scope of the activity on developing new manuals on conciliation for five target groups under the European Union-Council of Europe Joint Project on “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution in Turkey”. The meeting was...
Handbooks being developed for training of conciliators
On 28-29 April 2022, the first working group meeting was held in Ankara by the Project on “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution in Turkey” under the activity Developing conciliation training programmes. Representatives of the Directorate General for Criminal Affairs of the Ministry of...
The EU-CoE Joint Project on “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution in Turkey” held its 4th Management Meeting
The 4th Management Meeting of the European Union-Council of Europe Joint Project on “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Turkey” was held online on 25 April 2022 with the participation of the representatives of the Directorate General for Legal Affairs, Directorate General for...
Call for Tender for purchase of services related to design and production of public awareness materials on mediation and arbitration in Turkey
The Council of Europe (CoE) is currently implementing a Joint project on “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Turkey is co-funded by the European Union, and the Council of Europe. The Turkish Ministry of Justice is the end beneficiary of the Project. The project duration is 36...
Call for Tender for National Short-Term Consultants under the EU-CoE Joint Project on “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Turkey”
The Council of Europe initiates a call for the provision of national short-term consultancy services in the areas of “conciliation in criminal matters, mediation and arbitration as well as strategic and policy development of ADR mechanisms” under the framework of the EU / CoE Joint Project on...

Project Description
Project’s overall objective is to improve the effectiveness of the justice system and access to justice by providing a faster dispute resolution for the citizens, businesses, legal persons and other organisations and institutions at large.
Project’s specific objectives are:
i) To enhance the scope and application of the conciliation and to implement it effectively, by ensuring that the rights of minors, victims and offenders are protected, and skills and professionalisms of the staff of the Directorate General for Criminal Affairs (DGCA) within the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), as well as conciliators, legal professionals and conciliation prosecutors are strengthened.
ii) To enlarge the scope of mediation and arbitration as well as to increase the use and scope of mediation and arbitration in civil law by enhancing the capacity and qualifications of the staff of the Directorate General for Legal Affairs (DGLA) within the MoJ, as well as mediators, legal professionals and judiciary, for a consistent and efficient mediation and commercial dispute resolution.
iii) To enhance the capacity of the MoJ and the staff of the relevant Departments in strategic and policy development of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, including and issues pertinent to the design, management and financing of its services.
Project Information
Title of the Project: Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Turkey
Duration: 36 months (16 December 2020-15 December 2023)
Budget: 4,000,000 €
Funding: This Project is co-funded by the European Union (90%) and the Council of Europe (10%).
End Beneficiary: MoJ, Directorate General for Criminal Affairs (DGCA) & MoJ, Directorate General for Legal Affairs (DGLA)
Lead Institution: Ministry of Justice
Contracting Authority: Central Finance and Contracts Unit (CFCU)
Target Groups: Over 2250 members of the judiciary, judges and public prosecutors of first instance courts, court staff, lawyers, ADR professionals (mediators, conciliators and arbitrators), representatives of academia as well as representatives of disadvantaged groups (women, youth, vulnerable groups, etc.).
Project Activities
ER-1: Conciliation in criminal justice system is improved in line with principles and standards of restorative justice
A.1.1 Conducting needs assessment analysis
A.1.2 Conducting monitoring of the conciliation mechanism
A.1.3 Piloting new models of conciliation
Project Results
ER-1: Conciliation in criminal justice system is improved in line with principles and standards of restorative justice.
ER-2: Use and quality of mediation and arbitration is enhanced through strengthening capacities of relevant professionals and institutions.
ER-3: Leadership role of the MoJ in strategic planning, policy development and co-ordination of the ADR mechanisms is strengthened.
A.1.4 Strengthening the capacity of conciliators and staff of conciliation bureaux
A.1.5 Developing conciliation training programmes
A.1.6 Preparation of refresher conciliation training programme and materials
A.1.7 Conducting seminars for judges and prosecutors
A.1.8 Developing new or improving existing manuals and/or guidebooks on conciliation for judges, staff of conciliation bureaux, prosecutors, and lawyers
A.1.9 Developing practical handbook(s) for conciliation users and general information leaflets and posters
ER-2: Use and quality of mediation and arbitration is enhanced through strengthening capacities of relevant professionals and institutions.
A.2.1 Conducting a detailed needs assessment analysis and expert review of the legal framework and European best practices
A.2.2 Conducting research on the feasibility on aspects of organisation of mediation
A.2.3 Conducting a needs analysis of the mediation bureaux and TNA of their staff
A.2.4 Assessment of the mediation system under the Regional Courts of Appeal (RCAs)
A.2.5 Supporting targeted court monitoring for the selected cases suitable for family mediation to establish a referral system
A.2.6 Establishing a case management, monitoring and evaluation system in private mediation centres
A.2.7 Developing a unified assessment and accreditation system for mediators
A.2.8 Organising information seminars on mediation and arbitration for members of the judiciary and lawyers in pilot regions
A.2.9 Conducting ToTs on basic mediation training
A.2.10 Organising training workshops on advanced mediation skills course and specialised mediation courses
A.2.11 Developing a training module and organising ToT for the examiners on accreditation and practical examinations of mediators
A.2.12 Organising of awareness raising seminars on mediation and arbitration
A.2.13 Conducting roundtable discussions and information meetings with businesses and their representatives
A.2.14 Preparing practical handbook, guidebooks, public information leaflets and posters
ER-3: Leadership role of the MoJ in strategic planning, policy development and co-ordination of the ADR mechanisms is strengthened.
A.3.1 Holding international high-level conference
A.3.2 Establishing annual (or bi-annual) ADR days
A.3.3 Organising meetings for developing aspects of ADR policies
A.3.4 Organising international study visits
A.3.5 Developing an awareness raising strategy and carrying on the selected information campaigns


Project News
A Workshop on Conducting Needs Assessment Analysis in Conciliation was held
On-site visits are assessing the needs of mediation bureaux in Turkey
Preparations for the quantitative and qualitative survey on conciliation have started
The Activity “Assessment of the Mediation System under the Regional Courts of Appeal” has Started
On-site Visits were Held to Assess the Needs of Mediation Bureaux in Turkey
Manuals and guidebooks on conciliation will be developed for legal practitioners in Turkey
Workshop Held to Assess the Needs in the Field of Mediation and Arbitration in Turkey
On-Site Monitoring Visits on the Conciliation Mechanism in Turkey
Roundtable Meeting on the needs related to mediation and arbitration in Turkey
Field Assessment Meetings on Conciliation in Turkey
Methodology and Tools for Monitoring Conciliation Mechanism in Turkey
Field Assessment Visits on Mediation and Arbitration in Turkey
Development of Public Awareness Materials for Conciliation Users in Turkey Has Started
Research on the Feasibility on Aspects of Organisation of Mediation in Turkey has Started
The First Meeting on Conducting Monitoring of the Conciliation Mechanism in Turkey was Held
The needs assessment of mediation and arbitration in Turkey has started
The needs assessment of the conciliation in Turkey has started