New regulation on advertising ban for lawyers: Internet and social media ban introduced

The Regulation on Amending the Regulation on the Advertising Ban of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, which regulates the procedures and principles regarding the advertising ban in the legal profession, has been published in the Official Gazette and entered into force.

Accordingly, with the regulation amendment, the procedure of sending a warning letter in case of violation of the advertising ban has been abolished. In case of a violation of the advertising ban, an ex officio investigation will be initiated against the lawyers, and a letter including a request for defense will be served to the relevant person.

Lawyers will not be able to engage in work or transactions that highlight content they have prepared themselves, had prepared, or that has been prepared about them on online platforms, whether for a fee or free of charge.

LAWYERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PLACE OR RECEIVE ADVERTISEMENTS

Lawyers, who are prohibited from using shortcuts that direct internet users to their own websites or from their own websites to another site, will also be unable to place or receive advertisements on online platforms.

Lawyers will also be unable to make posts of an advertising nature regarding their lives, earnings, or professional activities in a way that associates them with their professional identity.

In cases where the title of lawyer is used in written, audio, visual, and online communication tools, and in posts regarding their private lives, lawyers will be required to avoid behaviors that could damage the reputation of the profession.

WRITTEN AND VISUAL POSTS WILL ALSO BE PROHIBITED

Lawyers will avoid any behavior that could be considered advertising in broadcasts they participate in on social media and the internet, as well as any statements and posts that could damage the reputation of their profession. They will not be able to broadcast or make written or visual posts by sharing general and abstract information that is accessible to everyone for the purpose of obtaining business.

In meetings with clients and prospective clients, the venue, environment, and content must be suitable for the purpose of the meeting, worthy of the dignity of the legal profession, and of a nature that does not violate the advertising ban.

The rule of confidentiality will be observed in said meetings.