Turkey repeals uncertain debt lawsuit provision in legal reform

Under Law No. 7589, published in the Official Gazette on July 31, 2026, Article 107 of the Civil Procedure Law (HMK), which regulated uncertain debt lawsuits, has been repealed. This legislative change marks the end of the era of uncertain debt lawsuits in the Turkish legal system.

Attorney Dilek Taş Delice notes that the reform is not merely a renaming of uncertain debt lawsuits to partial lawsuits. While partial lawsuits already existed, the new regulation adds a specific provision to Article 109 of the HMK. This allows for a one-time increase of the amount not initially requested within a partial lawsuit, with the statute of limitations for the increased portion being considered interrupted as of the original filing date.

Previously, uncertain debt lawsuits were used when it was impossible or objectively unexpected for a plaintiff to determine the exact amount of a claim at the time of filing. The new system aims to address inconsistencies between courts regarding what constitutes a truly “uncertain” debt, which had previously led to legal disputes regarding the right to seek justice and potential loss of time.