• With the new regulations, the previously procedure of “sending warning letter” has been abolished.
In cases considered as a violation of the advertising ban, an investigation will now be initiated directly without warning, and a defense will be requested from the concerned party.
If the violation of the advertising ban is not terminated, this situtation may be considered as reccurence.
• New regulations regarding social media and internet posts have been introduced.
Lawyers will not be able to engage in any work or action, either for a fee or free of charge, to promote content they have prepared about them on online platforms.
Furthermore, they will not be allowed to use shortcuts to direct internet users to their own or other sites, nor will they be able to give or receive advertisements on online platforms.
• The regulation also emphasizes of “professional identity” and “private life”.
Lawyers will not be able to make advertising posts about their lives, earnings, and professional activities in connection with their professional identity. While using the title of lawyer in written, auditory, visual, and online communication tools, they must avoid behaviours in their private lives that could harm the reputation of the profession.
On the same platforms, they must avoid behaviours that could be considered advertising and statements that could damage the profession’s reputation in the publications they participate in or are part of.
It is also prohibited to share general and abstract information for the purpose of obtaining business, and to share general and abstract information that is accessible to everyone in written and visual form.
• Detailed restrictions have also been imposed on the meeting places of lawyers and law offices.
Meetings with clients and prospective clients must be conducted in a manner appropriate to the purpose, in a way that upholds the dignity of the profession and complies with advertising restrictions. The principle of confidentiality must be observed during these meetings.
Additionally, lawyers will not be allowed to maintain more than one office or open branches. Law offices and partnerships cannot be named in a way that creates the impression of a permanent and continuous collabration, such as “liaison office” or “solution partners”.
It is also prohibited for a law office to use more than one sign for a single lawyer.
