REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

MINISTER TUNÇ: TÜRKİYE DEVELOPS SOFTWARE TO AMELIORATE JUDICIAL PROCESSES

Stating that the usage of AI technologies in legal field has been on the agenda in recent years, Minister of Justice Tunç said “Software to ameliorate big data analysis, case intensity maps and judicial processes are developed regarding that subject in Türkiye”.

In his speech at the opening session of the 13th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum held in Russian Federation, Minister Yılmaz Tunç mentioned that Türkiye amended its fundamental laws in the last 20 years.  

Stating that crucial goals are determined in the 4th Judicial Reform Strategy Document which includes years 2025-2029 for a foreseeable and swift justice system, Minister Tunç noted that among those goals are digitalization to facilitate accession to justice and introduction of AI technologies to judiciary.
Defining digitalization as “a transformation process which results in drastic changes in every field of social structure”, Minister Yılmaz Tunç notified that they carried on constantly improving National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP) which was launched in 2007.

Stating that judicial proceedings are carried on in a digital environment thanks to UYAP, Minsiter Tunç said “This is an integrated informatics system which connects all judicial units from first instance courts to high courts and central and rural units of the Ministry of Justice, where users operate by logging in with their e-signatures or passwords and where data exchange is made with other public institutions and organizations by external integration. We completed 186 different integrations with 57 institutions to this date within scope of UYAP integration works”.

Adding that thanks to UYAP, files and documents regarding cases may be shown in digital environment and it is not necessary to go to a court physically to file a case or present a defense statement, Minister Tunç said “One of the biggest advantages of this system is speed, transparency and accessibility”.
Noting that thanks to UYAP, proceedings sped up, that they are carried out in a transparent manner and citizens’ accession to justice is facilitated, Minister Yılmaz Tunç said “UYAP lawyer and citizen portals, which also provide service with mobile applications, enable our lawyers and citizens to perform all the works that they can physically perform in courthouses, including filing a lawsuit, viewing a case file, initiating enforcement proceedings, from anywhere with online access, regardless of time and place. Thanks to UYAP whose citizens’ portal reached 22 million 754 thousand users, prosecutor’s offices and courts receive information and documents in seconds”.

Stating that 6 million 302 thousand hearings are held by Audiovisual Information System (SEGBİS), and e-hearing app was launched during Covid-19 epidemic, Minister of Justice Tunç said “From the day the app was launched, total of 3 million 289 thousand e-hearings were held in 2 thousand 972 civil courts”.

Stating that a crucial step is taken by ACEP (Integration of Smart Technologies to Penal Institutions) which ensures that convicts have video-calls with their relatives, Minister Tunç expressed that they transferred majority of the formal correspondences to digital environment by e-Notification system, which was launched in 2019.

Minister Tunç said “285 million 190 thousand electronic notifications have been sent since 2019. By doing so, more than 20 million liras was saved, nearly 170 thousand trees were saved and 10 thousand tons of paper were saved”.

AS TÜRKİYE, WE ARE TAKING IMPORTANT STEPS TO ENSURE CYBER SECURITY

Minister of Justice Tunç said that the use of artificial intelligence technologies in the field of law has been on the agenda in recent years, and that in Türkiye, big data analyses, case density maps and software for improving judicial processes have been developed in this regard.

Emphasizing that the technological transformation process brings not only opportunities but also some challenges, Minister Tunç said:
"Data security and protection of personal data is one of the most discussed issues in this process. Storing sensitive judicial data in digital environment requires a strong cyber security infrastructure. In this context, as Türkiye, we are taking important steps to ensure cyber security."

Stating that topics such as digitalization and artificial intelligence applications in the judiciary are of great importance for legal systems to become more effective, fairer and more accessible, Minister Tunç said that the right to life, which is the most basic human right, cannot be protected in different parts of the world.

THE HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDIES IN GAZA MUST END IMMEDIATELY

Minister of Justice Tunç reminded that St. Petersburg was under bombardment for more than 2 years during World War II, that it had dark days and innocent people were targeted.

Referring to the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, Minister Tunç said:
"What is happening in Gaza today is a humanitarian tragedy, a genocide that will strike the conscience of the 21st century. The tragedy in Gaza affects us all deeply and damages the belief in peace and the international legal system. International law clearly stipulates the protection of civilians and respect for the principles of proportionality and distinction. We, who defend the rule of law and work for the establishment of justice, cannot remain silent in the face of this painful picture.

The issues on the agenda at the St. Petersburg International Law Forum are about facilitating access to justice. Digitalization of the judiciary, artificial intelligence-supported systems and modern legal practices are important topics for the common good of humanity. In addition, it should not be forgotten that the spirit of justice is to protect human dignity, defend the lives of the innocent and speak out against oppression. Therefore, as Türkiye, as our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has adamantly emphasized on every international platform, we say ‘a fairer world order is possible’ and we wish the human tragedies in Gaza to end as soon as possible."

In addition, Minister of Justice Tunç held bilateral meetings with Ibrahim Bin Ali Al Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Qatar and Abdullah Bin Sultan Bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice of the United Arab Emirates as part of his visit to Russia.