Introduction to Law in a Nutshell

Engin Saygın

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... 5
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................. 14
PREFACE TO THE SEVENTH EDITION ................................................................................. 15
PREFACE TO THE SIXTH EDITION ....................................................................................... 16
PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION ....................................................................................... 17
PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION ................................................................................... 18
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION ...................................................................................... 19
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION ................................................................................... 20
FOREWORD TO THE FIRST EDITION ................................................................................... 21
ABOUT THE AUTHOR ......................................................................................................... 23
ABOUT THE BOOK ............................................................................................................. 25
A NOTE FOR THE FACULTY OF LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCES STUDENTS ....................... 27
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK ................................................................................................... 29

CHAPTER 1: SOCIAL ORDER RULES

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 35
1. SOCIAL ORDER RULES ................................................................................................. 36
1.1. Religious Rules .................................................................................................. 38
1.2. Customary Rules ............................................................................................... 40
1.3. Moral Rules ....................................................................................................... 42
1.4. Legal Rules ........................................................................................................ 42
1.5. Comparison of Social Order Rules ..................................................................... 43
1.6. The Relationship among Social Order Rules ..................................................... 45
1.6.1. The Relationship between Law and Religious Rules ............................. 46
1.6.2. The Relationship between Law and Moral Rules .................................. 47
1.6.3. The Relationship between Law and Customary Rules .......................... 50
2. DEFINITION OF LAW ................................................................................................... 50
2.1. Main Objectives of Law ..................................................................................... 52
2.2. Main Types of Legal Sanctions .......................................................................... 53
2.3. Characteristics of Legal Rules ............................................................................ 53

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3. SOURCES OF LAW ....................................................................................................... 54
3.1. Constitution ...................................................................................................... 56
3.2. Codes (Acts, Laws, Bills and Statutes) ............................................................... 56
3.3. International Treaties ....................................................................................... 56
3.4. Presidential Decrees ......................................................................................... 57
3.5. By-Laws ............................................................................................................. 58
3.6. Other Delegated Legislation (Subordinate Legislation) .................................... 59
3.7. Doctrine ............................................................................................................ 59
3.8. Court Decisions ................................................................................................. 60
3.9. Hierarchy of Law ............................................................................................... 60
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ................................................................................. 62
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS .................................................................. 64
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ............................................................................. 64
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................... 65
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING ............................................ 65
CHAPTER 2: SYSTEMS OF LAW

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 71
1. LEGAL SYSTEMS .......................................................................................................... 73
1.1. Common Law System ....................................................................................... 75
1.2. Civil Law System ............................................................................................... 77
1.2.1. Comparison between Common Law and Civil Law ............................... 81
1.3. Religious Law System ........................................................................................ 82
2. SEVERAL CONCEPTS ................................................................................................... 83
2.1. Law & Justice .................................................................................................... 84
2.2. Legal Positivism & Natural Law ......................................................................... 84
2.3. Domestic Law & International Law ................................................................... 85
2.3.1. Dualism ................................................................................................. 86
2.3.2. Monism ................................................................................................. 87
2.4. Substantive Law & Procedural Law................................................................... 88
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ................................................................................. 89
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS .................................................................. 91
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ............................................................................. 91
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................... 92
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING ............................................ 92

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CHAPTER 3: APPLICATION OF LEGAL RULES

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 97
1. APPLICATION OF LEGAL RULES ................................................................................... 98
1.1. Ascertaining the Applicable Rules ..................................................................... 98
1.2. Determining Facts ............................................................................................. 99
1.3. Applying the Relevant Provisions of Rule ....................................................... 100
1.3.1. Syllogism ............................................................................................. 100
1.3.2. Argumentum a Contrario .................................................................... 101
1.3.3. Analogy (Argumentum a pari) ............................................................. 101
2. BURDEN OF PROOF AND PRESUMPTIONS ............................................................... 102
2.1. Burden of Proof............................................................................................... 102
2.1.1. Burden of Proof in Criminal Cases ....................................................... 103
2.1.2. Burden of Proof in Civil Cases ............................................................. 103
2.2. Presumptions .................................................................................................. 104
2.2.1. Statutory Presumption ........................................................................ 105
2.2.2. Rebuttable Presumption ..................................................................... 105
2.2.3. Irrebuttable Presumption ................................................................... 107
3. INTERPRETATION OF LEGAL RULES .......................................................................... 107
3.1. Textual Interpretation ..................................................................................... 108
3.2. Historical Interpretation ................................................................................. 109
3.3. Logical Interpretation ..................................................................................... 110
3.4. Teleological Interpretation ............................................................................. 110
3.5. Unrestricted Interpretation ............................................................................ 111
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 112
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 114
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 114
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 115
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 115
CHAPTER 4: BRANCHES OF LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 119
1. CORPUS IURIS CIVILIS ............................................................................................... 120
2. CRITERIA FOR THE DIVISION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE LAW ................................................ 124
2.1. Benefit Criterion ............................................................................................. 124
2.2. Free Will Criterion ........................................................................................... 125

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2.3. Sovereignty Criterion ...................................................................................... 125
2.4. Equality Criterion ............................................................................................ 126
................................................................................................................... 127
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 128
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 130
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 130
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 131
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 131
CHAPTER 5: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 135
1. DEFINITION OF CONSTITUTION ................................................................................ 135
1.1. Contents of the Constitution .......................................................................... 137
1.1.1. Preliminary Chapter (or Preamble) ..................................................... 137
1.1.2. General Principles Chapter ................................................................. 139
1.1.3. Institutions of the State Chapter ........................................................ 139
1.1.4. Fundamental Rights and Freedoms Chapter ...................................... 142
1.1.5. Effectiveness and Amendment Chapter ............................................. 143
1.2. Essentials or Requisites of a Good Constitution ............................................. 145
2. CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTITUTIONS ....................................................................... 146
2.1. Unwritten and Written Constitutions ............................................................. 147
2.1.1. Merits and Demerits of Unwritten Constitutions ............................... 148
2.1.2. Merits and Demerits of Written Constitutions ................................... 150
2.2. Soft and Rigid Constitution ............................................................................. 151
2.2.1. Merits and Demerits of Soft Constitutions ......................................... 151
2.2.2. Merits and Demerits of Rigid Constitutions ........................................ 152
2.3. Frame and Regular Constitution ..................................................................... 153
3. CONSTITUTIONALISM IN THE WORLD AND TÜRKİYE ............................................... 154
3.1. The History of Constitutionalism in the World ............................................... 155
3.2. The Constitutional History of Türkiye ............................................................. 159
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 165
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 167
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 167
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 168
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 168

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CHAPTER 6: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 173
1. THE CONCEPT OF ADMINISTRATION ........................................................................ 174
1.1. Division of Public-Private Administration ....................................................... 175
1.1.1. The Way of Establishment .................................................................. 175
1.1.2. The Purpose of Establishment/Activity ............................................... 175
1.1.3. The Determination of Activity Areas ................................................... 175
1.1.4. The Exercise of Public Power .............................................................. 176
1.1.5. The Principle of Equality ..................................................................... 176
1.1.6. The Principle of Legality ...................................................................... 176
1.1.7. The Way of Termination ..................................................................... 176
2. THE BIRTH OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW IN FRANCE AND TÜRKİYE ............................. 176
2.1. The Birth of Administrative Law in France ...................................................... 177
2.2. The Birth of Administrative Law in Türkiye ..................................................... 178
2.3. The Features of Administrative Law ............................................................... 179
3. CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES OF TURKISH ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE ............. 180
3.1. Centralisation .................................................................................................. 180
3.2. Decentralisation .............................................................................................. 182
3.3. The Integrity of the Administration ................................................................ 183
3.3.1. Hierarchy ............................................................................................. 183
3.3.2. Administrative Tutelage ...................................................................... 185
3.3.3. Devolution of Powers .......................................................................... 186
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 189
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 191
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 191
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 192
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 192

CHAPTER 7: TAX LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 197
1. DEFINITION OF TAX .................................................................................................. 199
2. TURKISH TAXATION SYSTEM .................................................................................... 201
2.1. Tax Procedure ................................................................................................. 201
2.2. Substantive Tax Law ........................................................................................ 203
2.2.1. Personal Income Tax ........................................................................... 203
2.2.2. Corporate Income Tax ......................................................................... 205

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2.2.3. Taxes on Goods and Services .............................................................. 205
2.2.4. Taxes on Property ............................................................................... 209
2.2.5. Other Taxes ......................................................................................... 210
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 212
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 214
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 214
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 215
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 215
CHAPTER 8: INTERNATIONAL LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 219
1. THE CONCEPT OF THE STATE ................................................................................... 222
1.1. The State and Society ..................................................................................... 223
1.2. The State and Nation ...................................................................................... 225
1.3. The State and Government ............................................................................ 226
2. THE ELEMENTS OF THE STATE .................................................................................. 227
2.1. Territory .......................................................................................................... 227
2.1.1. Background Note on Aegean Disputes Between Türkiye and Greece ..... 229
2.2. Population ...................................................................................................... 234
2.3. Sovereignty ..................................................................................................... 235
2.3.1. Internal Sovereignty & External Sovereignty ...................................... 238
2.3.2. Real Sovereignty & Nominal Sovereignty ........................................... 238
2.3.3. Legal Sovereignty & Political Sovereignty & Popular Sovereignty ...... 238
2.3.4. De Jure Sovereignty & De Facto Sovereignty ...................................... 239
3. THE THEORIES OF THE STATE ................................................................................... 240
3.1. Voluntaristic Theories ..................................................................................... 240
3.2. Theory of the Contract ................................................................................... 241
3.3. Coercive Theory .............................................................................................. 242
3.4. Environmental Circumscription ...................................................................... 243
3.5. Political Evolution ........................................................................................... 244
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 245
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 247
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 247
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 248
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 248

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CHAPTER 9: CRIMINAL LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 253
1. THE DEFINITION OF CRIMINAL LAW ......................................................................... 255
2. MAJOR ASPECTS OF CRIMINAL LAW ........................................................................ 255
2.1. Definition of Crimes ........................................................................................ 255
2.2. Types of Crimes ............................................................................................... 259
2.3. Sanctions ......................................................................................................... 263
2.4. Principle of Non-Retroactivity ......................................................................... 267
3. THE AIMS OF PUNISHMENT ..................................................................................... 267
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 271
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 273
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 273
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 274
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 274

CHAPTER 10: CIVIL LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 279
1. TURKISH CIVIL CODE ................................................................................................. 280
1.1. Preliminary Chapter (Articles 1-7) ................................................................... 280
1.2. Book One (Articles 8-117): Law of Persons ..................................................... 283
1.2.1. Classification of Persons ...................................................................... 283
1.2.2. Beginning and End of Personality ....................................................... 284
1.2.3. Capacity ............................................................................................... 285
1.3. Book Two (Articles 118-494): Family Law ....................................................... 288
1.3.1. Filiation ............................................................................................... 288
1.3.2. Marriage .............................................................................................. 291
1.3.3. Divorce ................................................................................................ 292
1.4. Book Three (Articles 495-682): Law of Succession.......................................... 295
1.4.1. Intestate Succession ............................................................................ 296
1.4.2. Testate Succession .............................................................................. 297
1.4.3. Agreement of Inheritance ................................................................... 298
1.4.4. Limit of Free Will ................................................................................. 298
1.4.5. Reserved Portions ............................................................................... 298
1.4.6. Disclaim of Inheritance ....................................................................... 299
1.5. Book Four (Articles 683-1027): Law of Property ............................................. 299
2. TURKISH LAW OF OBLIGATIONS ............................................................................... 300
2.1. Contracts ......................................................................................................... 300
2.2. Illegal Acts (Torts) ........................................................................................... 300
2.3. Unjust Enrichments ......................................................................................... 301
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 302
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 304

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TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 304
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 305
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 305
CHAPTER 11: COMMERCIAL LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 309
1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF COMMERCIAL LAW .......................................................... 309
2. TURKISH COMMERCIAL CODE .................................................................................. 311
2.1. Preliminary Chapter (Articles 1-10) ................................................................ 312
2.2. Book One (Article 11-123): Commercial (Business) Enterprises ..................... 315
2.3. Book Two (Article 124-644): Business Associations (Corporate Law) ............. 317
2.3.1. Collective Company ............................................................................ 318
2.3.2. Commandite Company ....................................................................... 319
2.3.3. Joint Stock Company ........................................................................... 319
2.3.4. Limited Companies ............................................................................. 320
2.3.5. Cooperatives ....................................................................................... 320
2.4. Book Three (Article 645-849): Commercial Papers ......................................... 320
2.5. Book Four (Article 850-930): Transport Business ........................................... 322
2.6. Book Five (Article 931-1400): Maritime Law .................................................. 322
2.7. Book Six (Article 1401-1535): Insurance Law .................................................. 323
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 324
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 326
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 326
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 327
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 327
CHAPTER 12: PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 331
1. CONFLICT OF LAWS .................................................................................................. 333
2. LAW OF NATIONALITY .............................................................................................. 335
3. LAW OF ALIENS (FOREIGNERS) ................................................................................. 338
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 345
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 347
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 347
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 348
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 348
CHAPTER 13: PROCEDURAL LAW

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 351
1. THE LAW OF CIVIL PROCEDURE ................................................................................ 352
2. THE LAW OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ....................................................................... 354

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3. THE LAW OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ............................................................ 362
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 366
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 368
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 368
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 369
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 369
CHAPTER 14: BRANCHES OF LAW WHERE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LAW

CHARACTERISTICS ARE MIXED

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 373
1. LABOUR LAW ............................................................................................................ 373
1.1. Individual Labour Law ..................................................................................... 375
1.1.1. Contract of Employment ..................................................................... 376
1.1.2. Types of Employment Contracts ......................................................... 377
1.1.3. Termination of Labour Contracts ........................................................ 377
1.1.4. Obligations and Duties of Employer .................................................... 381
1.1.5. Obligations and Duties of Employee ................................................... 383
1.2. Collective Labour Law ..................................................................................... 383
1.3. Labour Judiciary .............................................................................................. 385
2. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ............................................................................................ 386
3. BANKING LAW .......................................................................................................... 389
SELF-TEST QUESTIONS ............................................................................... 394
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTIONS ................................................................ 396
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS ........................................................................... 396
IN-TEXT QUESTIONS .................................................................................. 397
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY/FURTHER READING .......................................... 397
ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF THE POLITICAL ENTITIES AND CORRESPONDING LEGAL
SYSTEMS .................................................................................................................... 399
GLOSSARY .................................................................................................................. 407
INDEX ......................................................................................................................... 413

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1- CONTENT OF MECELLE .................................................................................... 40
TABLE 2- SIMILARITIES AMONG SOCIAL ORDER RULES .................................................. 43
TABLE 3- DIFFERENCES AMONG SOCIAL ORDER RULES ................................................. 45
TABLE 4- MAIN LEGAL SANCTIONS ................................................................................. 53
TABLE 5- SOURCES OF LAW ............................................................................................ 55
TABLE 6- THE MOST COMMON LATIN PHARESES IN LEGAL TEXTS ................................. 78
TABLE 7- ARISTOTLE’S CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTITUTIONS ....................................... 147
TABLE 8- CONSTITUTIONS IN THE WORLD ................................................................... 157
TABLE 9- REALISATION AND RATES OF IMPORTANT TAX TYPES IN TÜRKIYE ................ 197
TABLE 10- TAX LIABILITY ................................................................................................. 204
TABLE 11- LIST OF VAT RATES APPLIED IN THE MEMBER STATES OF TH EU .................. 207
TABLE 12- DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE STATE AND SOCIETY ........................................ 224
TABLE 13- DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE STATE AND NATION ........................................ 225
TABLE 14- DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE STATE AND GOVERNMENT ............................. 227
TABLE 15- FORMS OF INTENT ......................................................................................... 258
TABLE 16- MODES OF PARTICIPATION IN CRIMES .......................................................... 260
TABLE 17- LIST OF OFFENCES IN THE TURKISH PENAL CODE .......................................... 261
TABLE 18- TYPES OF CAPACITY IN TURKISH LAW ........................................................... 288
TABLE 19- DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CONSEQUENCES OF CERTAIN TYPES OF
AFFINITIES ...................................................................................................... 291
TABLE 20- COMPARISON OF TORTIOUS LIABILITY AND BREACH OF CONTRACTUAL
OBLIGATION .................................................................................................. 301
TABLE 21- APPROVAL OF THE COMMERCIAL BOOKS ..................................................... 317
TABLE 22- CIVIL COURTS OF FIRST INSTANCE ................................................................. 353
TABLE 23- CRIMINAL COURTS OF FIRST INSTANCE ........................................................ 357
TABLE 24- THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURES ..... 361
TABLE 25- ADMINISTRATIVE FEES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGES BETWEEN
01/01/2026 AND 31/12/2026 ....................................................................... 389