Ensuring that the statement and the defence of a person who does not speak Turkish are correctly understood is a fundamental element of the right to a fair trial. The presence of an interpreter in criminal and civil proceedings and in police and prosecution procedures is guaranteed by law.
In court interpreting, the rendering must be impartial, complete and free of any interpretation. At BKT we provide interpreting at hearings, statements and enforcement proceedings in line with these principles, and where needed we also translate the written documents in the case file with the same terminological consistency.
Who is it for?
- Foreigners who are a party to criminal or civil proceedings
- Foreign nationals giving a statement to the police or the public prosecutor
- Lawyers with foreign clients
- Foreigners to be heard as witnesses at a hearing
- Parties requiring an interpreter for enforcement and notarial procedures
- Foreigners in administrative detention and deportation procedures
Required documents
The list below is for a typical case. Additional documents may be requested depending on your nationality, the type of application and the practice of the relevant authority; the definitive list is given to you in writing at the initial consultation.
- Date and place of the hearing or statement
- Case file number and details of the parties
- Indictment, pleadings or case file documents, if available
- The language and dialect required
- Contact details of the lawyer
The process step by step
- 1
Request and scheduling
We take the date, place, language and case file details and assign a suitable interpreter.
- 2
Case file preparation
Any available case documents are reviewed to prepare for the terminology and the sequence of events.
- 3
Accompaniment
The interpreter attends the hearing, statement or enforcement proceeding.
- 4
Written translation
Where required, sworn translation of the case file documents is carried out.
- 5
Follow-up
Scheduling is arranged for subsequent hearing dates.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the interpreter request until the day of the hearing
- Not sharing the case file documents with the interpreter in advance
- Assigning an interpreter without taking dialect differences into account
- Submitting written statements without a translation
- Settling for a summary rendering for a party who does not understand the language of the hearing
Legal basis
The provisions of Criminal Procedure Code No. 5271 and Civil Procedure Code No. 6100 on the appointment of interpreters
Legislation and administrative practice may change. The information on this page is for general guidance only; an assessment specific to your case requires a consultation.