Investigations and Complaints in Turkey

The Competition Authority may start investigations against any party which is infringing the Competition Law ex oicio or upon complaint.

The applicable statute of limitation is eight years. An investigation may consist of three stages:

(i) preliminary investigation, (ii)
investigation, and (iii) hearings.

In case of a preliminary investigation, the Competition Authority appoints experts which will collect relevant information and provide the Competition Authority with their opinion in writing within 30 days. At this stage, the Competition Authority does not notify the concerned undertakings of the preliminary investigation. The Competition Authority shall evaluate the outcome of the preliminary investigation within 10 days following receipt of the experts’ written opinion and decide whether to start an investigation. Once started, investigations shall be completed within 6 months. An additional period of 6 months may be granted by the Competition Authority, if necessary.

Upon initiation of an investigation, the Competition Authority shall inform the relevant undertakings of the investigation within 15 days and such undertakings are granted a 30-day period in order to submit their irst written defences together with suicient information on the matter. The parties shall have the right to request a hearing. Such hearing shall be held separately. In case a hearing is held, the inal decision shall be announced on the same day or within 15 days from the date of the hearing.

Otherwise, the inal decision shall be made within 30 days following the completion of the investigation process. The verdict may be challenged before the competent administrative court.