Mandatory Legal Counsel for Joint Stock Companies in Turkey
This article explains the Turkish legal requirement for qualifying joint stock companies to retain contracted legal counsel under Article 35 of the Attorneyship Law. As of 2026, joint stock companies with a share capital of TRY 1,250,000 or more fall within the scope of this obligation.
The obligation is based on share capital, not turnover, headcount, sector, or whether the company currently has litigation. A company may comply either by employing an in-house lawyer or by entering into a written ongoing legal services agreement with a lawyer.
Failure to comply may result in an administrative fine for each month of non-compliance. The fine is calculated as two months of the applicable gross minimum wage. The minimum monthly fee payable to mandatory contracted counsel is determined under the Attorneyship Minimum Fee Tariff published by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations.
Beyond compliance, ongoing legal counsel supports corporate governance, contracts, board and general assembly processes, employment matters, debt collection, and preventive risk management.
Frequently Asked Questions
01Is legal counsel mandatory for joint stock companies in Turkey?
Yes. As of 2026, joint stock companies with a share capital of TRY 1,250,000 or more must retain contracted legal counsel under Article 35 of the Attorneyship Law.
02Do limited liability companies have the same obligation?
No. Article 35 applies to qualifying joint stock companies and building cooperatives with at least one hundred members, not limited liability companies solely due to their capital.
03How is the fine for non-compliance calculated?
For each month of non-compliance, an administrative fine equal to two months of the applicable gross minimum wage may be imposed.
04Is a case-specific power of attorney sufficient?
As a rule, no. The obligation requires an ongoing legal services relationship rather than a power of attorney limited to a particular case.