Last updated: 19 July 2026
What Is an Appeal to the Regional Court of Appeal?
In Turkish civil procedure, an appeal before the regional court of appeal is called istinaf. It allows eligible judgments of first-instance courts to be reviewed within the limits of the application. The regional court may examine both legal issues and, within procedural limits, the factual assessment and evidence.
People seeking an Antalya lawyer or a Serik lawyer after receiving a judgment should first determine whether the decision is appealable, when it was validly served and which parts are unfavourable. A general statement that the judgment is “unfair” is not a substitute for structured appeal grounds.
Check Whether the Decision Is Open to Appeal
Not every first-instance decision can be appealed. Certain decisions are final because of their type or the annually adjusted monetary finality threshold. Interim decisions are generally reviewed together with the final judgment unless a special rule provides a separate remedy.
The threshold applicable to a monetary claim is determined according to the relevant year and procedural rules. Because these amounts are revalued, a previous year’s figure should not be used without verification.
When Does the Appeal Period Begin?
Under the general rule of the Code of Civil Procedure, the appeal period is two weeks. It begins when the reasoned judgment is duly served on each party. Special statutes may provide different periods.
The date a decision appears in UYAP is not automatically the legal service date. Physical notification, UETS electronic service and any irregularity must be checked. Guidance on service and deadlines is available in what to do when you receive a legal notification and how to track legal deadlines.
What Should the Appeal Petition Contain?
| Section | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Decision details | Court, case number, decision number and service date | Identifies the judgment and confirms the time limit. |
| Challenged parts | Specific findings, amounts or orders appealed | Defines the scope of regional review. |
| Procedural errors | Jurisdiction, service, hearing, evidence or reasoning defects | Shows how procedure affected the decision. |
| Substantive errors | Incorrect legal rule, interpretation or calculation | Explains why the legal result is wrong. |
| Evidence assessment | Ignored, misunderstood or contradictory evidence | Connects the error with the existing court file. |
| Requested result | Dismissal, correction, reversal, retrial or a new decision | States what the regional court is asked to do. |
Where and How Is the Appeal Filed?
The appeal petition is generally submitted to the court that issued the judgment. It may also be submitted to another court for transmission under the applicable rules. The petition is registered, required fees and expenses are paid and a copy is served on the opposing party for a response.
Lawyers submit electronically through the UYAP Lawyer Portal. Citizens with a qualified electronic signature may use authorised UYAP Citizen Portal filing functions. The electronic receipt and payment confirmation should be preserved.
Does an Appeal Automatically Stay Enforcement?
As a general rule, filing an appeal does not automatically stay enforcement of a civil judgment. The successful party may be able to initiate enforcement unless the judgment is one that cannot be enforced before finalisation or an order staying enforcement is obtained under the applicable conditions.
Whether security is required and which authority grants postponement of enforcement depends on the judgment and enforcement stage. Family-status and immovable-property decisions may have special finalisation requirements.
Can New Facts and Evidence Be Submitted on Appeal?
The regional appeal is not an unrestricted opportunity to rebuild the case. New claims, defences and evidence are generally limited. Evidence that was not submitted to the first-instance court may be considered only in the situations permitted by procedural law, such as where it was properly identified but not examined or could not be submitted for reasons not attributable to the party.
The appeal should therefore focus primarily on the existing file and demonstrate how the first-instance assessment was incorrect.
How Does the Regional Court Review the File?
The regional court first reviews admissibility, time, fees and whether the decision is appealable. It then examines the grounds stated in the petition, while certain public-order issues may be considered on its own initiative. The review may be conducted on the file or through a hearing where required.
A weak appeal often repeats the first-instance petition without addressing the judgment’s reasoning. Each ground should quote or identify the challenged finding and explain the legal or evidential error.
What Decisions Can the Regional Court Make?
Depending on the file, the regional court may reject the application procedurally, dismiss it on the merits, correct a limited error, set aside the judgment and send the file back in legally specified situations, or conduct further examination and issue a new judgment. The exact terminology and result depend on the procedural ground.
A regional court decision may itself be final or may be open to cassation before the Court of Cassation. The next stage is explained in how cassation review works.
Cross-Appeal and the Opposing Party’s Response
The opposing party may respond to the appeal and, where the procedural conditions are met, may seek review of unfavourable parts through a cross-appeal connected with the original application. If the principal appeal is withdrawn or rejected for certain procedural reasons, the effect on the cross-appeal must be assessed under the Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the civil appeal period?
The general period under the Code of Civil Procedure is two weeks from due service of the reasoned judgment. Special statutes may provide another period.
Can I appeal before the reasoned judgment is served?
An application may be attempted after learning of the decision, but the proper period and effective petition should be assessed carefully. The reasoned judgment is necessary for meaningful grounds.
Is it enough to ask only for the judgment to be overturned?
No. The petition should identify the challenged findings, legal or procedural errors and requested result.
Will the regional court always hold a hearing?
No. Many files are examined on the record. A hearing may be held where procedural law and the nature of the review require it.
Does filing an appeal stop enforcement?
Not as a general rule. Finalisation requirements and postponement of enforcement must be examined separately.
Can the regional court issue a new judgment?
Yes. In appropriate cases it may conduct examination and decide the merits rather than simply sending the case back.
Can the winning party appeal?
A party who prevailed may appeal if there is a legal interest, for example because part of the reasoning or relief remains unfavourable.
Preparing Appeal Grounds from the Reasoned Judgment
An effective appeal is built around the errors in the reasoned judgment, not a repetition of the original claim. Attorney Selin ÖNEM KONUR, through Likya Legal Consultancy, can review service, admissibility, evidence assessment and the requested appellate result in the individual file. For an appeal review, contact us.
This article provides general information about civil appeals under Turkish law. Appealability, thresholds, periods and enforcement consequences must be verified for the specific judgment.
