Turkey's Parliament adopts 12th Judicial Package with new IBAN fraud penalty rules

The Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Justice Commission approved the so‑called 12th Judicial Package, a reform bill containing 30 articles and one temporary provision. Among the changes, article 27 – which prevented the Court of Cassation from overturning first‑instance judgments on grounds of jurisdictional error – was removed.

A key addition creates a reduced‑penalty provision for individuals who enable bank‑account (IBAN) fraud. Under the new clause, offenders who only supplied information or tools for the use of a bank account may have their prison term halved, provided the victim’s full financial loss is repaid within six months. If the restitution is not completed, the reduction does not apply and sentencing proceeds as before.

The package also introduces procedural safeguards for creditors pursuing claims against public administrations, requiring a written request and account‑number disclosure before enforcement can begin. Other provisions cover electronic transmission of notarial documents, adjustments to public auction procedures, and an extension of the deadline for reducing the number of Council of State chambers.

According to AKP‑MHP legislators, the changes aim to target only peripheral participants in organized fraud while preserving existing sanctions for principal perpetrators.