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The New Labour Courts Law in Turkey introduces a Mandatory Mediation Process

December 2017

The new Labour Courts Law numbered 7036 (the "New Law") was adopted by the Turkish Parliament on 25 October 2017. It repeals the former Labour Courts Law (numbered 5521) and considerably amends the procedure to be followed in relation to labour disputes. The most important change introduced by the New Law is the mandatory mediation process, under which parties to a labour dispute are required to submit their cases to a mediator prior to filing a lawsuit before the labour courts. As such, the parties can no longer apply directly to the courts in seeking relief for compensation or reinstatement claims. The New Law has faced criticism for increasing procedural costs and emplacing barriers to routes to justice.