International business is becoming increasingly interconnected. Companies now enter into commercial relationships with partners, investors and institutions located in different countries, creating legal relationships that often extend across several jurisdictions. As a result, the importance of effective mechanisms for resolving cross-border commercial disputes continues to grow.
Within this changing international business environment, international arbitration in Turkey is gaining greater attention.
Türkiye’s geographical position gives the country a distinctive advantage. Situated between Europe, Asia and the Middle East and maintaining strong commercial links with the Caucasus and Central Asia, Türkiye is closely connected to several important international markets.
Istanbul stands at the centre of this commercial network. Its position as a major business, investment and transportation hub has also increased interest in its potential as a centre for international arbitration and dispute resolution.
In this interview, Dr. Arzu Ongur, Founder and Managing Partner of ONGUR & PARTNERS International Law Office, discusses her academic and professional background, international arbitration in Türkiye, Istanbul’s potential as an arbitration centre and the changing expectations placed on lawyers working on international disputes.
Dr. Arzu Ongur: From Legal Education to International Arbitration
Dr. Ongur, could you begin by telling us about your professional and academic background?
My professional journey has been shaped, from its earliest stages, by international law, cross-border commercial relations, foreign investment and international dispute resolution.
I have always viewed law not simply as a collection of rules, but as a framework through which investments, commercial relationships and increasingly complex interactions between states, corporations and private parties are structured.
This perspective has influenced both my academic studies and my legal practice.
I have never considered academic scholarship and professional legal practice to be entirely separate. In my view, they are complementary areas that provide different perspectives on the same legal and commercial questions.
Following my graduation from Ankara University Faculty of Law, I pursued postgraduate studies in Italy, including at the University of Bologna, and undertook further studies in European Union law at the Collegio Europeo di Parma. I subsequently completed my Ph.D. at Ankara University, focusing academically on competition law.
My interest in international dispute resolution also led me to undertake specialised training in alternative dispute resolution, international arbitration and arbitral decision-making in the United States and the United Kingdom.
These experiences played an important role in shaping my approach to arbitration.
An effective arbitration practitioner should be able to examine a dispute not only from the position of legal counsel but also from the perspective of an arbitral tribunal.
Understanding how arbitrators may evaluate legal arguments, contractual provisions, evidence and procedural submissions can significantly improve the way a case is prepared and presented.
What Makes International Arbitration Different?
International arbitration involves considerably more than presenting substantive legal arguments.
A strong understanding of the applicable law is essential, but procedural strategy, evidence, expert analysis and the presentation of complex commercial information can also be decisive.
Cross-border disputes frequently involve several contracts, parties from different countries and legal systems that may differ significantly from one another.
The role of an international arbitration lawyer is therefore not limited to identifying legal provisions. Counsel must also develop a coherent strategy that allows a tribunal to understand the commercial background, factual circumstances and legal issues underlying the dispute.
This is one reason why dispute resolution planning should begin well before a disagreement occurs.
Businesses entering international agreements should carefully consider their arbitration clauses, including the potential seat of arbitration, applicable procedural rules, governing law and institutional framework.
A dispute resolution clause that appears relatively simple when a contract is signed can become one of its most important provisions if the commercial relationship later breaks down.
International Experience and Turkey–Italy Business Relations
Italy has also occupied an important place in my academic and professional life.
My education there, together with the professional relationships I have developed over the years, has allowed me to gain a broader understanding of different legal systems and the commercial cultures in which international investments take place.
Today, Turkey–Italy commercial relations, international investments and the legal structuring of cross-border transactions remain important aspects of my professional work.
International business requires an understanding of more than domestic legislation. Lawyers advising companies from different jurisdictions must also appreciate differences in commercial practices, negotiation approaches and legal expectations.
International arbitration and alternative dispute resolution constitute a substantial part of my practice. My institutional involvement in the field, including my work within the Turkish Bar Association and its arbitration framework, complements the international dispute resolution work undertaken in private practice.
Establishing a Law Firm with an International Perspective
When establishing ONGUR & PARTNERS ankara law firm, my objective was to develop a practice deeply grounded in Turkish law while also being capable of handling matters involving international jurisdictions and commercial environments.
For an istanbul law firm working with international clients, knowledge of Turkish law provides the necessary foundation, but international legal work requires a broader perspective.
A foreign investor or multinational company may require advice involving corporate structures, commercial contracts, foreign investment, regulatory requirements and dispute resolution.
These areas often overlap, particularly when a transaction involves multiple countries.
A lawyer must therefore understand both the domestic legal framework and the international commercial environment in which the client operates.
Istanbul’s Strategic Position for International Arbitration
Istanbul’s geographical location is one of the factors contributing to its potential development as a centre for international arbitration in Turkey.
The city has historically connected commercial and cultural networks between Europe and Asia. Today, it remains an important centre for international trade, investment, finance and business.
Its connections with European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets make Istanbul particularly relevant to companies conducting cross-border business.
For businesses considering arbitration in Istanbul, however, geographical accessibility is only one consideration.
Parties should also evaluate the legal framework, procedural rules, enforceability of arbitral awards, institutional options, arbitrator expertise and the specific characteristics of their dispute.
A carefully selected arbitration seat can provide an important element of certainty in an international commercial relationship.
Why Institutional Arbitration Matters
Institutional arbitration can provide parties with an established procedural structure and administrative support during arbitration proceedings.
This can be particularly useful in complex international disputes involving multiple parties, extensive documentation or technically demanding evidence.
Nevertheless, choosing an arbitration institution is only one part of the overall strategy.
The drafting of the arbitration agreement, appointment of arbitrators, procedural planning, management of evidence and presentation of legal arguments remain central elements of an effective arbitration process.
For this reason, companies should examine arbitration provisions carefully when negotiating international contracts.
Dispute resolution should be viewed as part of broader legal and commercial risk management rather than as a provision that becomes relevant only after a dispute has arisen.
The Skills Required of Modern Arbitration Lawyers
The international arbitration profession is evolving alongside global commerce.
Today’s disputes can involve complex financial structures, technical evidence, large volumes of digital documents and commercial relationships extending across multiple jurisdictions.
The next generation of international arbitration lawyers will therefore need capabilities extending beyond traditional legal knowledge.
They will need to understand international commerce, investment structures, financial documentation, technology and the commercial objectives of their clients.
The ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly is equally important.
Arbitration counsel must often present complicated factual and legal questions in a way that can be understood efficiently by tribunals, clients, experts and opposing parties.
In my view, successful arbitration practice requires rigorous legal analysis, strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
The strongest legal strategy is one that addresses the legal issues while remaining connected to the client’s wider business objectives.
Cross-Border Investment and Dispute Resolution in Türkiye
Türkiye’s increasing participation in international trade and foreign investment is likely to create continued demand for sophisticated dispute resolution services.
International investors may face disputes involving commercial agreements, investment structures, construction projects, financing arrangements, corporate relationships or regulatory matters.
Understanding the available dispute resolution mechanisms in Turkey can therefore be an important part of managing commercial and legal risk.
Ideally, this analysis should take place before an agreement is signed.
Reviewing contractual terms and arbitration clauses during negotiations can allow businesses to identify potential risks and establish a clear framework for dealing with disputes if they arise.
This is particularly important where a transaction involves parties from different countries or assets and obligations located in multiple jurisdictions.
Türkiye’s Potential as a Regional Dispute Resolution Centre
Türkiye’s geographical position, expanding international trade and growing foreign investment provide favourable conditions for the continued development of international arbitration in Turkey.
Istanbul is particularly significant because of its commercial connections with Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
As international businesses continue to invest in and trade with Türkiye, the demand for legal professionals who understand both Turkish law and international dispute resolution is likely to increase.
The development of Istanbul as an arbitration centre should therefore be considered within the broader context of Türkiye’s integration into international commerce.
International arbitration is not only a specialised area of legal practice. It can also contribute to greater confidence in cross-border commercial relationships by providing businesses with established mechanisms for resolving disputes.
The Future of International Arbitration in Istanbul
The future of Istanbul arbitration will depend on several factors, including legal expertise, institutional development, international confidence and the continued growth of Türkiye’s commercial relationships with foreign markets.
As cross-border transactions become increasingly sophisticated, businesses will require dispute resolution mechanisms that offer predictability, procedural efficiency and compatibility with international commercial practices.
Istanbul has a strong geographical and commercial foundation from which to develop further in this field.
For international investors and companies operating in Türkiye, understanding arbitration and other dispute resolution mechanisms should therefore form part of the wider process of commercial planning and legal risk management.
The development of international arbitration in Turkey ultimately reflects Türkiye’s growing role in the global economy.
As international investment and cross-border commerce continue to expand, Istanbul has the potential to strengthen its position as a regional hub for international dispute resolution and to become an increasingly relevant destination for businesses seeking effective solutions to complex commercial disputes.