Court Fee Calculator

Court fee calculation in Türkiye is carried out in accordance with the Fees Law No. 492 and the "Advance on Costs Tariff" published every year by the Ministry of Justice. There are fixed and variable costs depending on the court hearing the case and the nature of the claim.

Using the calculator above, you can estimate the average fees and costs you need to pay in 2025 according to the type of lawsuit you wish to file. The total cost also changes depending on whether an on-site inspection will be carried out or an expert needs to be appointed. In this article we discuss the factors that affect court costs in detail.

How Are Court Fees Calculated?

Litigation costs, commonly known as court costs, refer to all costs incurred in filing and conducting a lawsuit. Although court fees make up a significant part of these costs, litigation costs are not limited to fees. Under Article 323 of the Code of Civil Procedure No. 6100 (HMK), litigation costs generally include:

• Court fees
• Service (notification) costs
• On-site inspection costs
• Expert witness fees
• Witness fees
• Expert opinion fees
• Power of attorney fees and costs

Types of Court Fees and Calculation Methods

Court fees fall into two main categories: fixed (maktu) and proportional (nispi) fees.

Filing Fee (Fixed Fee)

The filing fee is a fixed fee charged when a lawsuit is filed or a legal remedy is sought. It must be paid whether or not the subject of the case has a monetary value. The amount is updated each year by the General Communiqué on the Fees Law.

Example: A fixed filing fee is paid for cases whose value cannot be measured in money, such as divorce or declaratory actions, or for enforcement proceedings up to a certain amount.

Advance Fee (Proportional Fee)

The advance fee is calculated at a certain percentage of the value in dispute in cases whose value can be measured in money. One quarter (25%) of this fee, calculated on the value of the claim, is paid in advance when the case is filed.

Calculation example: the fee is calculated on the amount claimed in a debt action. For instance, for a claim of TRY 100,000, if the fee rate for 2025 is 7.11% (illustrative rate), the total fee would be TRY 100,000 × 7.11% = TRY 7,110. One quarter of this amount, TRY 1,777.50, is paid as the advance fee when filing.

Important note: the advance fee increases as the value of the claim increases. The current rates published each year should be followed.

Judgment Fee (Proportional and Fixed)

The judgment fee is charged on the judgment rendered by the court at the end of the case.

Proportional judgment fee: In cases whose value can be measured in money, the remaining fee (75%) is calculated on the amount awarded by the court (which may differ from the initial value of the claim) and collected once the judgment becomes final.

Fixed judgment fee: In cases whose value cannot be measured in money, a fixed amount is charged depending on the nature of the court's decision.

Waiver/acceptance: If the claim is waived or accepted, a judgment fee may also be payable at the rates set out in the Fees Law.

Appeal Fees

Fees must also be paid for court decisions to be reviewed by the higher courts — the regional courts of appeal (istinaf) or the Court of Cassation (temyiz).

Filing fee: A fixed filing fee is paid when lodging an appeal.

Judgment fee: A proportional or fixed judgment fee may also arise depending on the appellate decision. These fees are generally calculated at the current rates set out in the Fees Law communiqués.

Determining the Value of the Claim

For court fees to be calculated correctly — especially where proportional fees apply — it is essential to determine the value of the claim accurately.

Claims of a Specific Value

These are cases in which the subject matter has a monetary value, such as debt actions, cancellation and registration of title actions and compensation claims. In such cases the value of the claim is clearly determined on the basis of the amount claimed or in dispute.

Undetermined Claims and Partial Claims

Undetermined claim: Under Article 107 HMK, this type of action is filed when the amount or value of the claim cannot be determined fully and precisely. The case is filed for a nominal amount and the fee is paid on that amount. When the amount to be awarded becomes certain at the end of the case, the outstanding fee is collected. This is often used for items that are not yet certain, such as employee receivables.

Partial claim: Under Article 109 HMK, these are cases in which the full amount of the claim is known but only part of it is claimed for now. The fee is initially paid on the part claimed; when the claim is later increased, the outstanding fee is collected.

Because fee calculation and top-up procedures can be complex in these types of cases, working with an experienced lawyer is very important.

What Are Litigation Costs? A Detailed Analysis

In addition to court fees, other significant cost items of the legal process also form part of litigation costs.

Attorney's Fees

The attorney's fee is the fee that the court, at the end of the case, orders the losing party to pay to the winning party, calculated according to the Attorneys' Minimum Fee Tariff (AAÜT). This fee is separate from the fee you pay your own lawyer under your engagement agreement and is collected from the other party and paid to you.

Expert Fees and On-Site Inspection Costs

Expert fees: Fees paid to experts appointed by the court on matters requiring legal or technical expertise. Depending on the nature of the case (e.g. construction, traffic accidents, trademark cases), more than one expert report may be needed, increasing the cost.

On-site inspection costs: Travel, transport, accommodation and similar costs incurred when the court carries out an on-site examination of the place or object in dispute.

Service Costs

Costs incurred through PTT or private couriers to deliver case documents (statements of claim, hearing dates, decisions, etc.) to the parties. The more notices served during the proceedings, the higher this cost.

Witness Fees

Fees paid, in the amount set under Article 266 HMK, to persons heard as witnesses by the claimant or defendant. The fee is intended to cover the witness's time and travel costs.

Other Costs

Depending on the nature of the case, other costs may include enforcement file costs, various document costs during the proceedings, postage, bank transfer fees and the mandatory advance on costs.

Exemptions and Exceptions

In certain special circumstances, exemption from or deferral of court fees and costs may apply.

Legal Aid

Legal aid allows persons who cannot afford litigation costs (fees, service, experts, etc.) to be temporarily exempted from them or to pay in instalments upon application to the court (Article 334 et seq. HMK). The request is made to the court together with documents showing the person's financial situation. If granted, the litigation costs are covered by the state and, if the person wins, collected from the other party.

Public Institutions and Certain Cases

Some public institutions are exempt from court fees by law. In addition, certain types of cases — such as employee receivable claims before the Labour Courts — may be subject to special rules such as an initial fee exemption or deferral.

Payment and Refund of Fees and Costs

Paying court fees and costs at the right time and in the right way is important for the legal process to proceed smoothly.

Timing and Methods of Payment

Filing fee and advance fee: Usually paid when the case is filed or the first application is made, at the court cashier's office or through banks designated by the Ministry of Finance.

Interim costs: Interim costs such as expert fees, inspection costs and service costs are paid by the relevant party (usually the claimant) within the period set by the court. If not paid, the case may be dismissed on procedural grounds as "not pursued".

Judgment fee: Collected once the judgment becomes final.

Refund of Fees and Costs

In certain cases, fees paid may be refunded:

Waiver of claim: If the claim is waived while proceedings are ongoing, a refund may be possible at the rates set out in the Fees Law.

Withdrawal of the case: A partial refund may also apply if the case is withdrawn after filing.

Overpayment: A refund may be requested from the relevant institution for fees paid in error or in excess.

Conclusion

Correctly calculating court fees and anticipating litigation costs is a critical step in planning your legal process and preparing financially. Court fees, service costs, expert fees and attorney's fees determine the total cost of the case.

Professional legal advice is indispensable to take the right steps in this complex process, avoid unnecessary costs and ensure that costs are recovered from the other party if you win.

At Bursa Mudanya Law Office, with our specialist team led by Att. Ömer SEFA and Att. Zeynep KARACA, we are proud to offer tailored, up-to-date and reliable solutions for your court fee calculations. Contact us to avoid financial surprises in your legal process and to protect your rights as effectively as possible.