Objection Deadlines in Turkish Enforcement Proceedings
One morning you find a payment order (ödeme emri) in your Turkish e-notification inbox. You don’t recognise the debt, or the amount is wrong. What now?
The first and most important rule: don’t miss the deadline. Deadlines in Turkish enforcement law are short, and a missed one pushes you onto a much harder and more expensive path, even if you are right.
Here are the most common objection and application deadlines in one place.
Deadlines at a Glance
| Step | Deadline | Where | Legal basis (İİK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objection to payment order, non-judgment enforcement | 7 days from service | Enforcement office | Art. 62 |
| Objection to the debt, negotiable instruments | 5 days from service | Enforcement court | Arts. 168, 169 |
| Objection to the signature, negotiable instruments | 5 days from service | Enforcement court | Arts. 168, 170 |
| Complaint against enforcement office action | 7 days from learning of it | Enforcement court | Art. 16 |
| Late objection | 3 days after the obstacle ends | Enforcement court | Art. 65 |
| Removal of objection (creditor) | 6 months from service of objection | Enforcement court | Art. 68 |
| Annulment of objection lawsuit (creditor) | 1 year from service of objection | Competent ordinary court | Art. 67 |
Periods start the day after service. If the last day is an official holiday, the period ends at the end of the next working day.
Non-Judgment Enforcement: 7 Days
The most common type is general non-judgment enforcement (genel haciz yoluyla ilamsız takip). A creditor can start it without any court judgment.
The debtor can object to the enforcement office within 7 days of service of the payment order. The objection can be oral or written, and no reasons are required to object to the debt.
Two points to watch:
- To object to the signature, say so expressly. Otherwise the signature on the underlying document is deemed accepted.
- If objecting to only part of the debt, specify which part. Otherwise the objection may be treated as invalid.
A timely objection stops the proceedings. What the creditor can do next is explained in Action for annulment of objection.
Cheques and Promissory Notes: 5 Days
Enforcement based on cheques, promissory notes or bills of exchange moves faster and the deadlines are shorter.
The debtor must file objections to the debt or signature with the enforcement court within 5 days of service. An objection filed with the enforcement office does not stop these proceedings.
Also, the objection does not stop enforcement automatically. The enforcement court must decide to suspend it.
Complaint: 7 Days
If an enforcement officer’s action is unlawful or inappropriate, a complaint (şikayet) can be filed with the enforcement court within 7 days of learning of it.
Examples include attaching exempt assets or improper service of the payment order.
Some complaints, such as those concerning public order, are not subject to a deadline.
If You Missed the Deadline
The proceedings become final and the creditor can request attachment. Some routes may still be open:
- Late objection: if you missed the deadline for reasons beyond your control, such as serious illness, apply to the enforcement court within 3 days after the obstacle ends.
- Negative declaratory action (menfi tespit davası): a lawsuit to establish that you are not liable for the debt.
- Restitution action (istirdat davası): if you paid a debt you didn’t owe under enforcement pressure, you can reclaim it within one year of payment.
Each has its own conditions and is far longer and costlier than a timely objection.
Practical Tips for Companies
- Check your e-notification (e-tebligat) inbox regularly. Electronic service is deemed made at the end of the fifth day after it reaches the recipient’s address.
- Forward every payment order to the right team and your legal counsel the same day.
- Even if you acknowledge the debt, check the principal, interest and costs.
- Remember: for negotiable instruments, the deadline is 5 days and the objection goes to the enforcement court.
How Denova Helps
With Legal Advisory, we support companies and individuals with objections and complaints against enforcement proceedings in Türkiye, and assess the impact on your cash flow at the same time.
If you have received a payment order, write to us before the clock runs out.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I have to object to a payment order in Türkiye?
7 days from service in general non-judgment enforcement. 5 days in enforcement based on cheques, promissory notes or bills of exchange.
What happens if the deadline is missed?
The proceedings become final and the creditor can request attachment. If the debtor missed the deadline for reasons beyond their control, a late objection can be filed within 3 days after the obstacle ends. A negative declaratory action or a restitution action may also be available.
Do I need to give reasons for an objection?
In general non-judgment enforcement, reasons are not required to object to the debt. But an objection to the signature must be stated expressly, otherwise the signature is deemed accepted.
Where is the objection filed?
In non-judgment enforcement, with the enforcement office that issued the order. In enforcement based on negotiable instruments, with the enforcement court.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every case must be assessed on its own facts. It reflects Turkish law as of the publication date.