yasalar

Yasalar is the Turkish word for “laws,” referring to the body of statutory and regulatory rules that govern public and private conduct in the Republic of Turkey. The term encompasses legislation enacted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, executive decrees, and subordinate regulations issued by ministries and agencies. Turkish law is primarily based on civil‑law tradition, with influences from European continental systems and, to a lesser extent, common‑law principles.

The legislative process begins with a bill (tasarı) introduced by a member of parliament, a parliamentary group, the President, or a ministry. After several readings and committee reviews, the bill is voted on; a simple majority is sufficient for most statutes, while constitutional amendments require a three‑fifths majority. Once passed, the President signs the law, after which it is published in the Resmi Gazete (Official Gazette) and becomes legally binding. Certain urgent measures may be issued as presidential decrees (kararname) but are subject to parliamentary review.

Yasalar covers a wide range of domains, including civil code, penal code, commercial code, labor law, and environmental regulations. The Turkish Civil Code of 1926, modeled after the Swiss Civil Code, remains a cornerstone of private law, while the Turkish Penal Code of 2005 introduced modern definitions of offenses and penalties. Recent reforms have focused on aligning Turkish legislation with European Union standards, particularly in areas such as competition law, data protection, and human rights.

Legal scholars and practitioners rely on a hierarchy of sources: the Constitution, statutes, decrees, and case law. The Constitutional Court adjudicates the constitutionality of yasalar, and its decisions are final and binding. Overall, yasalar constitute the formal framework that structures Turkish society, economy, and governance.