First 10 articles of the Turkey Justice Academy bill approved in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey

The first 10 articles of the Turkey Justice Academy Law Bill have been approved in the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

According to the approved articles, certain regulations will be implemented due to the Constitutional Court's annulment of Presidential Decree No. 34 on the Turkey Justice Academy.

The Turkey Justice Academy will consist of a Presidency and an Education Board. Specialized training, instruction, research, and practice units will be established within the Academy.

In order to carry out the education and training activities of the Turkey Justice Academy more effectively and efficiently, Academy training centers may be established upon the proposal of the President and the decision of the Minister of Justice.

The Academy will prepare and implement training plans for judge and prosecutor candidates, as well as for judges and prosecutors.

The Academy will also prepare training programs for notaries and lawyers upon their request, as well as for other individuals deemed appropriate to benefit from education and training services. It will conduct research and scientific studies in the field of law and justice, identify needs, and develop projects by following international developments.

The Turkey Justice Academy will organize specialization and certificate programs, as well as courses, seminars, symposiums, conferences, and similar events on topics related to law and justice, and will establish a database and library.

The Academy will determine strategies and goals regarding education and training activities and will cooperate with domestic and international institutions and organizations in its areas of responsibility.

The Academy will also cooperate with relevant institutions and organizations to support the postgraduate and foreign language education of judge and prosecutor candidates, as well as judges and prosecutors, and will provide opinions to relevant institutions and organizations regarding education and training activities related to the field of law and justice.

DUTIES OF THE ACADEMY PRESIDENCY

The Presidency of the Turkey Justice Academy will consist of service units organized as the presidency and department presidencies, as well as the Law Research Center.

The number of department presidencies within the Academy Presidency shall not exceed four. There will be a sufficient number of rapporteur judges and administrative personnel in the Presidency.

The Presidency will prepare the training curriculum, annual training and strategic plan drafts, and the annual activity report.

The Presidency, which will make recommendations to the Education Board for the determination of standards regarding the effective, efficient, and uniform execution of education and training activities and will prepare training materials, will manage the appointment, transfer, assignment, and personnel procedures of those working at the Academy.

Additionally, the Presidency will carry out all kinds of procurement, leasing, maintenance, repair, construction, office, secretariat, archive, health, social, and similar services needed by the Academy, and will fulfill other assigned duties.

Within the scope of the Academy's mandate, working groups or training commissions may be established with the participation of representatives from public or private institutions and organizations, as well as experts.

DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE TURKEY JUSTICE ACADEMY

The President of the Academy will manage and represent the Academy, ensure the regular and efficient operation of the Academy, and take necessary measures in this regard.

Department heads will be appointed by the Minister of Justice from among first-class judges and prosecutors who have not lost the qualifications required for first-class status, and they will perform their duties according to the division of labor determined by the Academy President.

The 18-member Education Board will be chaired by the Minister of Justice or a Deputy Minister assigned by the Minister, and will consist of the Academy President, the Ministry's General Directors of Criminal Affairs, Legal Affairs, and Personnel, as well as 3 people selected by the Supreme Court of Appeals First Presidency Board from among Supreme Court members for a 4-year term, 2 people selected by the Council of State Presidency Board from among Council of State members, one person selected by the General Assembly of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) from among its own members, one person each selected by the HSK General Assembly from among judges serving in regional courts of justice and regional administrative courts, one person each selected by the HSK General Assembly from among judges serving in first-instance judicial and administrative courts provided they have attained first-class status, one person selected from among public prosecutors, and one person each selected by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) from among faculty members working in the fields of law and educational sciences at universities.

If a member selected for a fixed term leaves the membership for any reason, the newly selected member will complete the remaining term of the member they replaced.

The Education Board will convene with the absolute majority of the total number of members and will make decisions with the absolute majority of the total number of members.

The meeting agenda will be determined by the Chairman of the Education Board. The Academy President will inform the Education Board about the activities of the Academy. Experts in their fields and representatives of public or private institutions and organizations may also be invited to the meetings. The secretariat services of the Education Board will be performed by the Presidency.

The Education Board will approve the training curriculum and annual training plan drafts.

The Education Board, which will determine the standards regarding the effective, efficient, and uniform execution of education and training activities, will accept and monitor the Academy's strategic plan and provide opinions and suggestions regarding Academy legislation.

LAW RESEARCH CENTER TO BE ESTABLISHED

A Law Research Center will be established within the Academy.

The Law Research Center will cooperate with higher education institutions for postgraduate education by developing joint programs to contribute to the specialization of judge and prosecutor candidates, as well as judges and prosecutors.

The Law Research Center, which will follow developments in the field of law and justice, identify needs, and conduct research and scientific studies, will carry out joint work and research with foreign countries and international institutions and organizations in the field of law and justice, contribute to the Academy's education and training activities, and organize courses and certificate programs.

The Law Research Center will have a director, two deputy directors, and offices.

The director will be appointed by the Minister of Justice from among judges and prosecutors who have a doctorate in law, are first-class, and have not lost the qualifications required for first-class status; deputy directors will be appointed from among judges and prosecutors who have at least attained first-class status and have not lost the qualifications required for first-class status.

APPOINTMENTS TO THE ACADEMY

Judges and prosecutors who have effectively completed 5 years in the profession may be appointed or assigned to the Academy by the Minister of Justice in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Judges and Prosecutors.

The initial or transfer appointment of personnel subject to the Civil Servants Law to the Academy will be made by the Academy President.

If needed, Ministry personnel subject to Law No. 657 may be temporarily assigned to the Academy by the Ministry upon the request of the Academy President.

Personnel subject to Law No. 657 working at the Academy may be appointed to the central and provincial organization staff of the Ministry in accordance with their acquired rights upon the request of the Academy President.

The training center director will be appointed by the Minister of Justice from among first-class judges and prosecutors who have not lost the qualifications required for first-class status; the deputy director will be appointed from among judges and prosecutors who have at least attained first-class status and have not lost the qualifications required for first-class status.

APPOINTMENT AS TEACHING STAFF

Judges and prosecutors who have effectively completed 8 years in the profession may be appointed or assigned to the Academy by the Minister of Justice to serve as teaching staff.

Faculty members, lecturers, and research assistants working in higher education institutions may be assigned as teaching staff at the Academy.

Upon the request of the Academy President, Supreme Court of Appeals and Council of State members, judges and prosecutors, lawyers, notaries, and experts in their fields deemed appropriate by the authorized authority, board, or body may be assigned to give lectures at the Academy.

For the assignment of judges and prosecutors, lawyers, notaries, and experts in their fields, the condition of having effectively completed 8 years in the profession will be required.

GAZA STATEMENT IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

During the deliberations, AKP Group Deputy Chairman Abdulhamit Gül took the floor and made statements regarding the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Stating that the resistance of the oppressed against the oppressors is bearing fruit, Gül said that they are closely following all processes.

Emphasizing that humanity has united against the brutality and genocide in Palestine, Gül stated, "Innocent Palestinians have not bowed before oppression. This rightful resistance will lead them to victory. Our wish is for the ceasefire to be permanent and for lasting peace to be achieved."

New Way Party (Yol Partisi) Group Deputy Chairman Mehmet Emin Ekmen also expressed that they share the joy of the Palestinians who have shown resistance against genocide and have not surrendered.

Underlining that Israel has not been able to defeat the innocent and has not been able to declare a definitive victory, Ekmen said, "Israel has been and will be condemned before history."

Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Sırrı Süreyya Önder handed over the management of the General Assembly to Deputy Speaker Bekir Bozdağ due to an indisposition during the deliberations.

Deputy Speaker Bozdağ adjourned the session after the first 10 articles of the bill were approved and the deliberations on the entirety of the second section were completed.

After the break, the Consultative Committee proposal was put to a vote. According to the approved proposal, the General Assembly will not convene today, Tuesday, January 21, Wednesday, January 22, and Thursday, January 23.

After the Consultative Committee proposal was approved, Bozdağ closed the session to reconvene on Tuesday, January 28, at 15:00, as the commission did not take its place.