Handwritten Signature No Longer Required for Remote Hearing Participants: The Paragraph Added to Code of Civil Procedure Art. 149 (31 October 2026)

In civil cases, parties, their lawyers, witnesses and experts may, by court decision, take part in a hearing from where they are by audio and video link (Code of Civil Procedure, CCP Art. 149). Law No. 7589 Art. 22, which took effect today, 31 October 2026, introduced an important rule on handwritten signatures in this practice. This article summarises the change in general terms and does not replace an assessment of your file.

1. What provision was added?

The following paragraph was added to CCP Art. 149 after the third paragraph:

"For those who are decided to take part in a hearing from where they are by audio and video transmission, the provisions on handwritten signatures do not apply, except for admission, taking of oath, consent to withdrawal of the case, waiver of the claim, acceptance of the claim and settlement as referred to in Article 154(3)(ç)."

Because the new paragraph was inserted, the following paragraphs were renumbered; the provision that procedure will be set by regulation continues as the next paragraph.

2. The earlier framework: minutes and signatures

Under CCP Art. 154, the judge has procedural acts and statements of those concerned recorded in minutes. Among matters that must be recorded, subject to being read to the declarant and their signature being obtained, are admission, taking of oath, consent to withdrawal of the case, waiver, acceptance of the claim and settlement negotiations and their outcome (Art. 154/3-ç). Statements of parties, witnesses, experts are recorded on being read to the declarant (Art. 154/3-d).

3. What changed?

• For those decided to take part by audio and video link, the provisions on handwritten signatures do not apply, outside the listed cases.
• In effect, a remote participant need not be asked to sign by hand after the hearing for acts that might require a signature.
• Exception: for admission, taking of oath, consent to withdrawal, waiver, acceptance of the claim and settlement, the facility does not apply and the signature provisions continue as before, since the legal consequences of these acts are serious.

4. Practical points

• Remote participation is by court decision: a party requests, the court decides (Art. 149/1).
• If an admission, oath, withdrawal consent, waiver, acceptance or settlement is involved, ask the court and check the regulation on how the signature requirement is to be met remotely.
• Because procedure is to be set by regulation (Art. 149), follow future regulatory changes.
• If you plan to request remote participation, notify the court of the time and reasons promptly.

5. Related articles

See our articles on the 12th Judicial Package, and, in Turkish, on new civil procedure rules and on the electronic sale of property of persons under guardianship, which took effect on the same date. To have your file assessed, you can create an appointment or reach us via the contact page.

This article is for general information only, contains no promise of results and is not legal advice. The current text and regulations should be checked separately.