A Conversation with Dr. Arzu Ongur on International Arbitration, Cross-Border Disputes and Türkiye’s Evolving Role in Global Dispute Resolution
As international commerce becomes increasingly sophisticated and cross-border investments extend across multiple jurisdictions, international arbitration in Turkey has assumed a growing role in the architecture of global business and dispute resolution. For Türkiye—positioned at the intersection of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia—this development presents a significant opportunity.
In this interview, Dr. Arzu Ongur, Founder and Managing Partner of ONGUR & PARTNERS International Law Office, discusses the evolution of international arbitration in Türkiye, the strategic advantages of Istanbul as a seat of arbitration, the significance of institutional arbitration, and the competencies required of the next generation of international arbitration lawyers.
Dr. Arzu Ongur on International Arbitration and Cross-Border Legal Practice
Dr. Ongur, could you begin by telling us about your professional and academic background?
My professional journey has been shaped, from its earliest stages, by international law, cross-border commercial relations, foreign investment and international dispute resolution.
I have always regarded law not merely as a body of rules, but as an institutional framework within which investments, economic relationships and increasingly complex interactions between states, corporations and private actors are structured.
For that reason, I have never considered academic scholarship and legal practice to be separate pursuits. To me, they are complementary dimensions of the same professional discipline.
Following my graduation from Ankara University Faculty of Law, I pursued postgraduate studies in Italy, including at the University of Bologna, and undertook further studies in European Union law at the Collegio Europeo di Parma. I subsequently completed my Ph.D. at Ankara University, with a particular academic focus on competition law.
My interest in international dispute resolution also led me to undertake specialised training in alternative dispute resolution, international arbitration and arbitral decision-making in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Those experiences were particularly valuable because they reinforced an important principle: a sophisticated arbitration practitioner should be capable of analysing a dispute not only from the perspective of counsel, but also through the analytical lens of the arbitral tribunal.
In international arbitration, the strength of the substantive legal argument is indispensable, but it is not sufficient in isolation. Procedural strategy, evidentiary architecture, the presentation of technical material and the ability to distil a complex commercial dispute into clearly defined legal issues can be equally decisive.
Italy, Türkiye and International Commercial Relations
Italy has also occupied an important place in my academic and professional life. My education there, together with the professional relationships I have developed over the years, has allowed me to understand not only different legal systems but also the distinct commercial cultures within which cross-border investments operate.
Today, Turkey–Italy commercial relations, international investments and the legal structuring of cross-border transactions remain important aspects of my professional work.
International arbitration and alternative dispute resolution constitute a substantial part of my practice. My institutional involvement in the field, including my work within the Turkish Bar Association and its arbitration framework, complements the international dispute resolution work undertaken in private practice.
Building a Cross-Border Law Firm in Türkiye
When establishing ONGUR & PARTNERS ankara law firm, my objective was to build a practice deeply grounded in Turkish law while simultaneously capable of operating across jurisdictions, legal cultures and international commercial environments.
From the perspective of an Istanbul law firm handling cross-border matters, knowledge of domestic law is only the starting point.
International clients require legal counsel who can understand the interaction between Turkish law, international commercial practices, foreign investment structures and dispute resolution mechanisms. This is particularly important when a dispute involves parties, assets, contracts or regulatory obligations across multiple jurisdictions.
Istanbul as a Seat for International Arbitration
Istanbul's geographical position provides a distinctive advantage in this context. The city connects major commercial regions across Europe, Asia and the Middle East and has developed into an increasingly significant centre for international business and investment.
For international parties considering arbitration in Turkey, the choice of Istanbul can offer a combination of geographical accessibility, commercial connectivity and familiarity with both civil law principles and international commercial practices.
The development of arbitration institutions, legal expertise and specialised practitioners further contributes to Türkiye's potential as a regional dispute resolution hub.
The Importance of Institutional Arbitration
Institutional arbitration can provide parties with an established procedural framework and administrative support throughout the arbitration process. For complex international disputes, these features can be particularly valuable.
The effectiveness of an arbitration proceeding, however, does not depend solely on the institution selected. The legal strategy, drafting of arbitration agreements, selection of arbitrators, management of evidence and presentation of the case remain fundamental components of successful international dispute resolution.
This is why businesses involved in international investments and cross-border transactions should consider dispute resolution mechanisms at the contract-drafting stage rather than only after a dispute has arisen.
The Future of International Arbitration in Türkiye
Türkiye's expanding role in international trade, foreign investment and cross-border commercial activity creates new opportunities for the development of international arbitration in Istanbul and Türkiye.
As businesses increasingly operate across jurisdictions, the demand for lawyers who understand both Turkish law and international dispute resolution is likely to continue growing.
The next generation of international arbitration lawyers will therefore need more than technical knowledge of procedural and substantive law. They will need to understand international commerce, investment structures, evidence, technology and the commercial realities underlying complex disputes.
From my perspective, successful international arbitration practice requires a combination of rigorous legal analysis, strategic thinking and the ability to communicate complicated legal and commercial issues with clarity.
Türkiye’s Growing Role in Global Dispute Resolution
Türkiye's unique geographical and economic position gives it the potential to play an increasingly important role in global dispute resolution.
As Istanbul continues to develop as an international business centre, its role in international arbitration, cross-border disputes and commercial dispute resolution is likely to become increasingly significant.
For investors and companies conducting business in Türkiye, understanding the available dispute resolution mechanisms—and obtaining appropriate legal advice before entering into complex cross-border transactions—can be an important element of effective risk management.
The evolution of international arbitration in Turkey is therefore not simply a legal development. It is closely connected to Türkiye's broader integration into international commerce, foreign investment and global business networks.
