Turkish Law Expert Witness for UK Courts

Independent CPR Part 35 Reports on Turkish Law

Do you need to prove Turkish law in a court in England and Wales? Canko Law Firm prepares independent expert reports on Turkish law for solicitors, barristers, litigants in person and the court. Our reports follow CPR Part 35 and FPR Part 25. We work for one party or as a Single Joint Expert (SJE), at a clear hourly rate and to a clear timetable.

Read our guide: How Turkish law is proved in UK courts.

Contact us at info@canko.co.uk to request a quote. Please attach your draft letter of instruction or the relevant court order.

What does a Turkish law expert witness do?

A court in England does not assume it knows foreign law. Foreign law is treated as a question of fact, so it has to be proved with evidence, usually from a qualified expert. If nobody proves it, the court may simply assume that Turkish law is the same as English law. That can lead to the wrong result.

A Turkish law expert explains to the judge, in plain English:

which Turkish laws apply to the issue in the case
how Turkish courts, including the Turkish Court of Appeal (Yargıtay), read and apply those laws
what outcome a Turkish court would be likely to reach on the facts given
where the law is uncertain, and the range of views

The expert does not take sides. Our overriding duty is to the court, not to the party who pays us.

When do UK cases need Turkish law evidence?

We are most often instructed in these types of case:

Family and divorce cases

Financial remedy cases where one spouse owns property in Turkey, a marriage took place in Turkey, or a Turkish divorce or marriage contract needs to be explained. See our Turkish family law expert page.

Probate and inheritance

Estates with Turkish land, bank accounts or heirs, and applications to the Probate Registry that need evidence of Turkish succession law. See our Turkish probate and inheritance expert page.

Personal injury and holiday claims

Accidents at hotels and resorts in Turkey, where the court must know the safety standards that applied locally. See our local standards reports page.

Commercial and civil disputes

Contracts governed by Turkish law, company law questions, limitation periods, enforcement of Turkish judgments and recognition of Turkish documents.

Who are our experts?

Every report is prepared jointly by two dual qualified lawyers who work in both legal systems every day.

Can Canko

LLB, University of Buckingham (2007)
Attorney at Law, Turkey (2011), member of the Istanbul Bar
Official Mediator, Turkey (2020)
Solicitor, England and Wales (2023)

Pınar Canko

Law Degree, Marmara University (2009)
Attorney at Law, Turkey (2010)
Foreign Qualified Lawyer, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (2023)

Because we understand both the Turkish rules and the English procedure, our reports answer the questions the English court is actually asking. We also explain Turkish terms so a judge can follow them without translation problems.

Are your reports CPR Part 35 compliant?

Yes. Every report is written to meet the rules for expert evidence in England and Wales:

CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction 35 for civil cases
FPR Part 25 and Practice Directions 25B and 25C for family cases
the Guidance for the Instruction of Experts in Civil Claims

Each report includes our qualifications, the substance of our instructions, the documents we relied on, a summary of our conclusions, a statement that we understand our duty to the court, and the required statement of truth.

How much does a Turkish law expert report cost?

Our time is charged at one clear hourly rate.

Expert report, written questions (CPR 35.6 or FPR 25.10), conferences, supplementary reports, attending court: £200 per hour
Disbursements such as translation or document searches in Turkey: Only with your prior agreement

Where we act as a Single Joint Expert, the fee is split equally between the parties on one invoice. We give you a written estimate before we start, based on the questions and documents you send us.

How long does it take?

We aim to send the draft report within 14 days of receiving the fee and all the documents we need. If we need more information, we tell you straight away. Please tell us about any court deadline when you first contact us.

How to instruct us

Email your draft letter of instruction, the court order giving permission (if already made) and the key documents to info@canko.co.uk.
We check for conflicts and confirm that the questions fall within our expertise.
We send our terms of engagement and a written estimate.
Once the fee is paid, we prepare and send the report.
We answer any written questions from the parties and can attend court if needed.

Why choose Canko Law Firm?

Two dual regulated experts on every report
Based in the UK, with deep knowledge of Turkish courts and practice
Plain English reports that a judge can use
One clear hourly rate and fast turnaround
Experience across family, inheritance and civil matters

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the court's permission to rely on a Turkish law expert?

Yes. In civil cases, CPR 35.4 says no party may call an expert or put in an expert report without the court's permission. In family cases, FPR 25.4 applies and the court will only allow expert evidence if it is necessary to resolve the case justly. We can help you word the questions for the application.

Can you act as a Single Joint Expert?

Yes. We regularly act as a Single Joint Expert, instructed by both parties together. We stay fully independent and send the same report to all parties.

Can a litigant in person instruct you?

Yes. We accept instructions from individuals as well as solicitors. You will still need the court's permission to rely on the report.

Will you give an opinion on the facts of the case?

No. We give an opinion on Turkish law. We do not decide disputed facts, comment on whether witnesses are telling the truth, or value property.

Can you translate Turkish documents?

We read Turkish documents in the original. If the court needs certified translations, we can arrange them as a disbursement with your agreement.