Concerns Over Quality of Legal Education in Turkey

Non-Law Graduates Leading Law Faculties

A significant number of law faculties in Turkish public universities are led by deans who did not graduate from law faculties, sparking concerns over the quality of legal education in the country.

With trust in the justice system at an all-time low and criticism of the infringement of the right to a fair trial on the rise, discussions about the quality of legal education have become increasingly important in Turkey.

According to a report by the daily Sözcü, there are a total of 92 law faculties in Turkey and Northern Cyprus, including public and foundation universities.

Among the deans of public law faculties, some have graduated from departments such as theology, archiving, and literature, rather than law.

Turan Taşkın Özer, a law maker of the Republican Republican Party (CHP), expressed his concerns, stating, “Law faculties are managed by deans who have not received a legal education. There is also a serious lack of academic staff in the faculties. The quality of the education provided in terms of legal formation decreases every year for this reason.”

Examples of non-law graduates leading law faculties include Emine Gümüşsoy, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Osmangazi University, who has a degree in history; Coşkun Karaca, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, who graduated in finance; Emin Aşıkkutli, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Trabzon University, who has a degree in theology; and Hüseyin Odabaş, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Çankırı Karatekin University, who has graduated in archival studies.