Legal aid in accessing justice in Turkey and problems in accessing legal aid

In Turkey, despite efforts to improve the effectiveness of the legal aid mechanism, problems persist in the access to justice for the poor, women, children, persons with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups. Within the framework of the principles of the social and legal state and the Constitution, it is essential to ensure equality of all individuals before the law and to guarantee the freedom to seek legal remedies. Access to justice refers to every individual's ability to exercise their right to a fair and equal trial in line with the fundamental principles and values of law. In this context, legal aid emerges as a significant mechanism. Legal aid aims to ensure access to justice by supporting disadvantaged groups who require financial or legal assistance during legal proceedings. The freedom to seek legal remedies means that every individual has the right to pursue their rights equally before the law. This fundamental right includes fair trial, legal protection, and the effective ability to fight against unjust treatment. The freedom to seek legal remedies is considered a cornerstone of democratic society and is closely linked with access to justice. This study addresses the inadequacy of the legal aid mechanism, which is a critical element of access to justice, and its limited functionality in certain areas. The shortcomings of the legal aid system are identified, and relevant solutions are proposed.