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The Scope and Structure of Civil Codes: The Turkish Experience

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The Scope and Structure of Civil Codes

Part of the book series: Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice ((IUSGENT,volume 32))

Abstract

The Turkish Civil Code and Code of Obligations as well as other private law Codes of 1920s were modeled upon Swiss Codes as the result of a “voluntary global reception of foreign laws” for the purpose of westernization and secularisation. These Codes were revised in 2000s in the light of recent developments in several jurisdictions (e.g., Switzerland, Germany, Austria etc.) and international conventions. Recently new laws in Turkey in several fields of private law have been modeled upon EU legislation (regulations and directives) and Continental legal system.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The new Turkish Civil Code, No. 4721 (TCC) is composed of Four Books: Book 1. Law of Persons, Book 2. Family Law; Book 3. Law of Inheritance and Book 4. Law of Things (i.e. property law). The new Turkish Code of Obligations, No. 6098 (TCO) is the Book 5 of the Turkish Civil Code and an integral part of the Civil Code (Article 646). This Code will enter into force on 1 July 2012 (Article 648).

  2. 2.

    For this purpose, some special Commissions were set up by the Ministry of Justice to draft modern codes which would be based on the new developments in the contemporary legal systems and satisfy the social needs of the nation. The Law Reform Commissions could not achieve these goals. Upon failure of the Commissions, it was decided to adopt foreign codes.

  3. 3.

    For details on the history of adoption of foreign laws during the Ottoman Empire and after the foundation of the Republic of Turkey see Ergun Özsunay, Legal Science During the Last Century in Turkey, Inchieste di diritto comparato “La Science du droit au cours du dernier siècle”, Padova, 1976, pp. 695 et seq.; Ergun Özsunay, The Total Adoption of Foreign Codes in Turkey and Ist Effect, in “Le Nuove Frontiere del Diritto e Il Problema Dell’Unificazione”, Università degli Studie di Bari, Milano, 1979, Vol. II, pp. 803 et seq.; Ergun Özsunay, Some Remarks on the Amendments Proposed by the Preliminary Draft of the Turkish Civil Code, “Liber Memorialis François Laurent 1810–1887”, (Editors: J. Erauw/B. Bouckkaert/H. Bocken/H. Gaus/M. Storme), E. Strory-Scientia, Bruxelles, 1989, pp. 605 et seq.; Ergun Özsunay, Religious Fundamentalism: Turkish Experience, Universidade da Coruna, Nacionalismo en Europa-Nacionalismo en Galicia, La religion como elemento impulsar de la ideologia nacionalista, Simposio internacional celebrado en: Pazo de Marinan A Coruna, 4–6 Septiembre 1997, NINO Centro de Impresion Digital, 1997, pp. 116 et seq.; Ergun Özsunay, Karşılaştırmalı Hukuka Giriş (Introduction to Comparative Law), Istanbul, 1978, pp. 269 et seq.; Ergun Özsunay, Türkiye’de Yabancı Hukukun Benimsenmesi Hareketi İçinde Türk Medeni Kanunu’nun Anlamı ve Önemi (The Meaning and Importance of the Turkish Civil Code within the Movement of Adoption of Foreign Law in Turkey), Istanbul Üniversitesi, Mukayeseli Hukuk Enstitüsü, TMK’nun 50. Yıl Sempozyumu (Symposium for the 50th Anniversary of the TCC), Istanbul, 1976, pp. 399 et seq. Further see H.N. Kubalı, Les facteurs determinants de la reception en turquie et leur portée perspective, Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul, 1956, No. 6, pp. 44–52.

  4. 4.

    Regarding the relationships between Swiss Civil Code as “adopted law” or “mother law” (Mutterrecht) and Turkish Civil Code, No. 743 of 4 April 1926 as “daughter law” (Tochterrecht) (entry into force on 4 October 1926) from the time of adoption until the enactment of New Turkish Civil Code, No. 4721 of 22 November 2001 (entry into force on 1 January 2002) see Ergun Özsunay, Relaties tussen Turks en Zwitsers recht: ervaringen met de toepassing van “geadopteerd recht” in een andere rechtscultuur (Relations between Swiss and Turkish Laws: Experience on Application of “Adopted Law” in Another Climate), Ars Aequi Mei 2007 (AA 56 (2007) 5, pp. 430–437.

  5. 5.

    For several types of “reception of foreign law” and particularly “total reception of foreign codes” see Ergun Özsunay, Karşılaştırmalı Hukuka Giriş, pp. 271 et seq.; Ergun Özsunay, Türkiye’de Yabancı Hukukun Benimsenmesi Hareketi İçinde Türk Medeni Kanunu’nun Anlamı ve Önemi, pp. 399 et seq.

  6. 6.

    For details on other modifications and alterations see Ergun Özsunay, Some Remarks on the Amendments Proposed by the Preliminary Draft of the Turkish Civil Code, p. 611.

  7. 7.

    See SCC Article 260 et seq.

  8. 8.

    This Law added new Articles 264–269 to SCC on adoption.

  9. 9.

    See SCC Article 296 et seq.

  10. 10.

    See SCC Article 276 et seq. and 318 et seq.

  11. 11.

    See SCC Articles 470 et seq.

  12. 12.

    See SCC Articles 712a–712t.

  13. 13.

    See SCC Articles 779, 779a–779 l.

  14. 14.

    On the criticism of the Revised Draft see Haluk Tandoğan, Türk Medeni Kanunu Ön Tasarısının Tüzel Kişilere İlişkin Hükümleri Üzerine Görüşler (Remarks on the Provisions of the Preliminary Draft of the TCC on Legal Entities), Ankara Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi, Vol. XXX, 1973, No. 1–4, pp. 121 et seq.; İsmet Sungurbey, MK Öntasarısının Nesneler Hukukunun Eleştirisi (Criticism of the Law of Things of the Preliminary Draft of TCC), İstanbul, 1972.

  15. 15.

    See Ergun Özsunay, Some Remarks on the Amendments Proposed by the Preliminary Draft of the Turkish Civil Code, p. 615.

  16. 16.

    See Ministry of Justice, Türk Medeni Kanunu Öntasarısı ve Gerekçesi (Preliminary Draft of Turkish Civil Code and Its Explanatory Memorandum), Ankara, 1984. For a detailed assessment of this Revised Code see Ergun Özsunay, Some Remarks on the Amendments Proposed by the Preliminary Draft of the Turkish Civil Code, p. 616 et seq.

  17. 17.

    See Ministry of Justice, Türk Medeni Kanunu Tasarısı (Preliminary Draft of the Turkish Civil Code), Ankara, 1998.

  18. 18.

    On this occasion it should be noted that several statutes have been enacted in order to arrange the field of civil law beside TCC. The following statutes are of importance regarding the application of TCC: Act on Associations, No. 2908 of 4 October 1983 repealed by Act on Associations, No. 5253 of 4 November 2004; Act on Flat Ownership, No. 634 of 23 June 1965 (amended); Act on Land Register, No. 2644 of 22 December 1934 (amended); Act on Rents of Real Estate, No. 6570 of 18 May 1955 (amended); Act on Family Name, No. 2525 of 21 June 1934; Act on Registration of Livings Together without a Formal Marriage as Valid Marriage and Correction of Legal Status of Children Born out of Wedlock as Children Born in Wedlock, No. 3716 of 8 May 1991; Act on Prevention of Infringements upon Possession of Real Estate, 3091 of 4 December 1984; Act on Foundations (established before the enactment of TCC), No. 2762 of 5 June 1935 (repealed by the Law, No. 5555 of 9 November 2006); Act on Construction, No. 3194 of 3 May 1985; Act on Mortgage of Commercial Undertaking, No. 1447 of 21 July 1971; Act on Environment, No. 2872 of 9 August 1983; Act on Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage, No. 2863 of 27 January 1983; Act on Land Surveying and Land Register, No. 2613 of 11 December 1934 repealed by the Act, No. 3402 of 21 June 1987; Regulation on Land Register, No. 94/5623 of 7 June 1994; Regulation on Application of the Provisions of TCC on Parental Authority, Guardianship and Inheritance, No. 6/5100 of 24 July 1965; Regulation on Foundations Established under TCC, No. 7/1066 of 25 July 1970.

  19. 19.

    See Articles 73–77, 77/A, 78, 79, 80, 80/A, 81, 81/A, 81/B

  20. 20.

    Cf SCC Article 142

  21. 21.

    Cf SCC Article 149

  22. 22.

    Cf SCC Article 152

  23. 23.

    Regarding the mines a special Act on Mines, No. 3213 of 4 June 1985 was enacted. Under the new TCC mines are no more the subject-matter of ownership on immovable property (Article 704). Instead of mines, “independent parts entered in the register for flat ownership” has been cited as the subject-matter of immovable property.

  24. 24.

    See J.L. Constantinesco, Rechtsvergleichung, Band II: Die rechtsvergleichende Methode, Köln/Berlin/Bonn/München, 1972, p. 415. For details on “types of reception of foreign law” see Ergun Özsunay, Karşılaştırmalı Hukuka Giriş, pp. 270 et seq. Further see M. Rheinstein, Types of Reception, Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul, 1956, No. 6, pp. 31–43; A.B. Schwarz, Rezeption und Assimilation auslaendischer Rechte, “Rechtsgeschichte und Gegenwart”, Karlsruhe, 1960, pp.149–160; I. Zajtay, La réception des droits étrangers et le droit comparé, RIDC, 1957, No. 4, 686–713; Neumayer/Dopffel, Ein Jahrhundert türkscher Rezeptiongeschichte-Versuch einer Würdigung, Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul, 1956, No. 56, pp. 53–62.

  25. 25.

    For details see Ergun Özsunay, Some Remarks on the Amendments Proposed by the Preliminary Draft of the Turkish Civil Code, pp. 638 et seq. Further see B. Davran, Bericht über die Aenderung im türkischen ZGB gegenüber dem schweizerischen, verbunden mit einigen Bemerkungen über den Sinn der Rezeption, Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul, 1956, No. 6, pp. 131–143.

  26. 26.

    In the Unification of Decisions of 28 November 1945, No. 13/15 of the all chambers of the Court of Cassation, the highest court makes the following statement: “Regarding interpretation of our laws, whereas we take into account our own texts in principle, we cannot give up to examine their origins on the ground of the doctrine (scientific opinions) is enjoyed in respect of interpretation”. See Ergun Özsunay, Medeni Hukuka Giriş (Introduction to Civil Law), 5th Edition, Istanbul, 1986, p. 218.

  27. 27.

    Comparative law meant for a while in Turkey the “comparison of Turkish and Swiss laws” regarding examination of legal problems before the “comparative law” was developed as an autonomous branch of law. For details see Ergun Özsunay, Karşılaştırmalı Hukuka Giriş, pp. 4 et seq. Ergun Özsunay, Legal Science During the Last Century in Turkey, pp. 803 et seq.; Ergun Özsunay, Some Remarks on the Amendments Proposed by the Preliminary Draft of the Turkish Civil Code, pp. 638 et seq.

  28. 28.

    Regarding the revision works on the Code of Obligations the works “A More Coherent European Contract Law – An Action Plan” and “European Contract Law and Revision of the Acquis: The Way Forward” published by the EU Commission have been taken into account in general and “Principles of European Contract Law” and “Principles of Tort Law” have been examined for the formulation of several legal rules. The Revision Commission has benefited also from the German Commercial Code (HGB) particularly in respect of the “ordinary partnership”. See Explanatory Report of the new Code of Obligations.

  29. 29.

    See the Explanatory Report of the new Turkish Commercial Code.

  30. 30.

    See the Explanatory Report of the new Turkish Commercial Code.

  31. 31.

    See the Explanatory Report of the new Turkish Commercial Code.

  32. 32.

    See the Explanatory Report of the new Turkish Commercial Code.

  33. 33.

    See the Explanatory Report of the new Turkish Commercial Code.

  34. 34.

    See the Explanatory Report of the new Turkish Commercial Code.

  35. 35.

    See the Explanatory Report of the new Turkish Commercial Code.

  36. 36.

    See the Explanatory Report of the new Turkish Commercial Code.

Abbreviations

Art:

Article, article

EU:

European Union

fSCC:

Former Swiss Civil Code of 10 December 1907

p:

Page

SCC:

Swiss Civil Code in force

SCO:

Swiss Code of Obligations of 30 March 1911 (as revised)

TCC:

Turkish Civil Code

TCO:

Turkish Code of Obligations

TComC:

Turkish Commercial Code

TFEU:

Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Comparative Law and EU Private Law, Istanbul University School of Law, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ergun Özsunay

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  1. Ergun Özsunay
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Correspondence to Ergun Özsunay .

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  1. Faculty of Law, Universidad de Buenos Aires and Universidad de San Andrés, Buenos Aires, (C1015ABP), Argentina

    Julio César Rivera

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Özsunay, E. (2013). The Scope and Structure of Civil Codes: The Turkish Experience. In: Rivera, J. (eds) The Scope and Structure of Civil Codes. Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice, vol 32. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7942-6_18

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