Charter

Our General Assembly Meeting, which is heard by the Executive Board with its signature, commenced on 24/03/2016 at 13:00 at the Association building with the presence of Cavit TATLI, the Chairman of the Association.

• As per the item of the agenda, the Chairman of the Association delivered an opening speech and stated that 20 members out of 25 (24 Mahmut DOĞAN) members were present at the roll call and therefore the majority was achieved.
• As per the second item of the agenda, with the call of the Chairman of the Association, a minute of silence was performed in memory of our sainted martyrs and our National Anthem was sung at the end of the meeting.
• As per the third item of the agenda, a voting was held for the formation of the council committee and then Mahmut DOĞAN was elected as the Chairman of the Council and Fikret ÖZGÜL and Burhan ATEŞ were elected as the clerk members.
• As per the fourth item of the agenda, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board memberships were elected, and upon the secret ballot, the original and substitute members of the Executive Board, the original and substitute members of the Supervisory Board, and the original and substitute members of the Disciplinary Board we elected as stated in the table below.

ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Sequence No.	ORIGINAL MEMBERS	VOTES RECEIVED	Sequence No.	SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS	VOTES RECEIVED
1	Cavit TATLI	20	1	Fatih MADEN	20
2	Fikret ÖZGÜL	20	2	Mehmet DOĞAN	20
3	Adem YILDIRIM	20	3	Burhan ATEŞ	20
4	Ömer Faruk YILDIRIM	20	4	Mustafa Halit KORKUSUZ	20
5	Ahmet Akif DEMİR	20	5		20

ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

Sequence No.	ORIGINAL MEMBERS	VOTES RECEIVED	Sequence No.	SUBTITUTE MEMBERS	VOTES RECEIVED
1	Şerafettin EKİCİ	20	1	Himmet TİLKİ	20
2	Adem GÜL	20	2	Gökhan ÖZTÜRK	20
3	Uğur YILDIRIM	20	3	Mehmet Akif AYDIN	20

ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS OF THE DISCIPLINARY BOARD

Sequence No.	ORIGINAL MEMBERS	VOTES RECEIVED	Sequence No.	SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS	VOTES RECEIVED
1	Şengül KARSLI	20	1	Seyit YÜZGEÇ	20
2	Gökhan TARAN	20	2	Haşim ÖZDAL	20
3	Cüneyt ALTIPARMAK	20	3	Ömer AVCI	20

After the elections, the chairman of the council asked if there were any objections to the results of the elections or if anyone wanted to be excused from the office they were elected to. Due to the absence of any response, the election process for the organs of the association was finalized.

• As per the fifth item of the agenda, “The headquarters of the association is Tercüman Sitesi A-6 Blok K: 10 D: 44 Cevizlibağ – Zeytinburnu – Istanbul” was removed from “The name and headquarters of the association” section of Article 1 of our association’s bylaw, and it was resolved to change the section to

 “The headquarters of the association is in Istanbul.”

Again, as per the fifth item of the Agenda, the process of adding a new article or articles to the bylaw of our association was initiated, and it was resolved to ad: Worldwide Lawyers pledges to provide legal and humanitarian assistance to humanity, all kinds of living beings and refugees who are in need of humanitarian and legal assistance by fleeing all kinds of persecution wherever they are on the globe, and to carry out and execute all kinds of work that will be necessary for this,

to the penultimate paragraph of section “The Purpose of the Association and the Subjects and Forms of Work to be carried out by the Association in order to realize this Purpose and the Field of Activity” from Article 2 of our association’s bylaws.

of the Article 2 of the bylaws of our association.

• As per the sixth item of the agenda, it was resolved to join the Federation of Refugee Associations (Federation of Refugee Rights Associations).

Again, as per the sixth item of the agenda, it was resolved that Cavit TATLI, Fikret ÖZGÜL, and Ahmet Akif DEMİR participate in the Federation of Refugee Associations as delegates representing our association.

• As per the seventh item of the agenda, the chairman of the council asked if there was anyone who wanted to take the floor to express their wishes and desires about the business transactions of our association. None of the members present at the General Assembly took the floor. The meeting ended at 18:00 with the closing speech of the chairman of the council. 24/03/2016

 

Chairman of the Council Mahmut Doğan (Signature)

Clerk Member Fikret ÖZGÜL (Signature)

Clerk Member Burhan ATEŞ (Signature)

 

WORLDWIDE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION BYLAW

Name and Headquarters of the Association

Article 1- Name of the Association: Worldwide Lawyers Association.

The headquarters of the association is in Istanbul.

The Association may establish branches in Türkiye and abroad.

The Association will briefly refer to itself as Worldwide Lawyers.

The Purpose of the Association and the Subjects and Forms of Work to be carried out by the Association in order to realize this Purpose and the Field of Activity

Article 2-Worldwide Lawyers, based on the basic principles of truth and law, is to provide legal and material assistance to humanity and all living beings wherever there is an injustice against all living beings and nature, especially human beings, without discrimination of language, religion, race, and gender.

Worldwide Lawyers was established based on this fundamental and sublime principle; in this regard, besides providing financial and legal assistance, it aims to ensure the execution of civil society activities in line with its purpose and to provide support to individuals and organizations working on this behalf.

Worldwide Lawyers is on the side of the victimized and oppressed, and solely committed to defending the truth and standing by the truth. This is its ideal purpose. Truth, Virtue and Law are the fundamental principles. It works with a group of virtuous people and carries out its work in line with its purpose.

Worldwide Lawyers pursues civil, economic and political freedoms and conducts activities on rights violations in this field in line with its purpose.

Worldwide Lawyers is a specialized organization focused on Legal Aid. It provides services in the legal field, publishes reports, compiles statistics, conducts academic studies, organizes seminars, panels and carries out projects for the development of the truth and legal culture on earth.

Worldwide Lawyers pledges to provide legal and humanitarian assistance to humanity, all kinds of living beings and refugees who are in need of humanitarian and legal assistance by fleeing all kinds of persecution wherever they are on the globe, and to carry out and execute all kinds of work that will be necessary for this.

Worldwide Lawyers aims to be an exemplary NGO working in line with this ideal goal, while being effective and competent, able to raise awareness and be taken into account in its field.

Subjects and Forms of Work to be Conducted by the Association

• To conduct research for the execution and development of its activities, to carry out legal studies by locating areas and sites of legal assistance, to monitor the violations of rights of all kinds towards living beings, humanity and nature all over the world, to carry out activities within the framework of all the purposes and principles in its bylaw in order to put an end to such violations in the event of the necessary legal procedure, to provide all kinds of material, moral and legal assistance to the victimized persons and their families without expecting any monetary reward, and to organize campaigns for this purpose.
• To organize educational activities such as courses, seminars, conferences and panels in line with its purpose, to conduct scientific studies and prepare reports, to express opinions for the removal of social, cultural, de facto and legal obstacles that undermine human rights, to report the results of its activities to the relevant persons and organizations, to request that the necessary measures are taken and monitor them, to form commissions if necessary, to cooperate and exchange views with domestic and foreign universities, NGOs, volunteer activists and scientists, to hold organizations and events such as seminars and panels.
• To access all kinds of information, documents, records and publications necessary to achieve its purpose, to create documentation, cultural centers, research centers, libraries and platforms, to publish publications such as newspapers, magazines, books and bulletins in line with its purposes in order to announce its activities, to produce special videos, cinevision, multivision and similar programs for the public to be broadcast in all kinds of periodical and non-periodical press organs such as cultural, educational pages, columns, radio and TV stations.
• To provide a healthy working environment for the achievement of the purpose, to provide all kinds of technical tools and equipment, fixtures and stationery materials.
• To carry out fund-raising activities and accept donations from within the country and abroad, provided that the necessary permissions are obtained.
• To establish and operate economic, commercial and industrial transactions in order to provide the revenues it needs for the realization of its statutory objectives.
• To open local clubs, establish social and cultural facilities and inspect them for the benefit of its members and for the utilization of their leisure time.
• To hold all kinds of meetings and performances in line with the purpose of the Association, to organize seminars, conferences, panels, panel discussions, open sessions, symposiums, competitions with or without awards, etc., to open exhibitions, to organize fairs: film, video, theater and similar activities.

Additionally, to organize dinner meetings, concerts, balls, theater, exhibitions, sports, excursions and fun events such as fairs, etc. in order to develop and maintain human relations among its members or to ensure that its members benefit from such events.

• To purchase, sell, lease, rent, lease out and establish real rights on movable and immovable properties required for the activities of the Association.
• To establish foundations in Türkiye and abroad if deemed necessary for the achievement of its purpose, to establish a federation or to join an established federation, to establish facilities that can be established by associations by obtaining the necessary permission.
• To carry out both domestic and international activities in line with its purpose, to become a member of associations or organizations in Türkiye and abroad, and to cooperate or collaborate with such organizations.
• If deemed necessary for the achievement of the purpose, to carry out joint projects with public institutions and organizations on matters within their fields of duty, without prejudice to the provisions of the Law No. 5072 on the Relations between Associations and Foundations with Public Institutions and Organizations.
• To establish a fund for the purpose of meeting the members of the Association’s essential needs such as food, clothing and other goods and services and short-term credit needs.
• To open branches and representative offices where deemed necessary.
• To create platforms to achieve a common purpose with other associations or foundations, trade unions and similar non-governmental organizations in fields that are related to the purpose of the association and not prohibited by law.
• To carry out all kinds of activities that are needed for the achievement of the purpose and that are not prohibited by law.

 

Field of Activity of the Association

The Association operates in Türkiye and abroad.

Membership Rights and Membership Procedures

Article 3- Every natural and legal person who has the capacity to act and who accepts to work in this direction by adopting the purposes and principles of the association and who meets the conditions stipulated by the Bylaw has the right to become a member of this association. However, foreign real persons are required to have the right to reside in Türkiye to be eligible to become a member. This requirement is not sought for honorary membership.

The application for membership to be submitted in writing to the chairmanship of the association shall be decided by the executive board of the association within maximum thirty days as acceptance to membership or rejection of the request and the result shall be notified to the applicant in writing. The member whose application is accepted shall be registered in the book to be kept for this purpose.

The original members of the Association are the founders of the Association and the persons who are accepted as members by the Executive Board upon their application.

Those who have provided significant financial and moral support to the Association may be accepted as honorary members with the resolution of the Executive Board.

When the number of branches of the association is more than three, the membership records of those registered at the headquarters of the association are transferred to the branches. New membership applications are submitted to the branches. The procedures for admission to membership and deletion from membership shall be carried out by the branch executive boards and shall be notified to the Headquarters in writing within a maximum of thirty days.

Withdrawing Membership

Article 4- Every member has the right to withdraw from the association, provided that he/she notifies this in writing.

As soon as the member’s resignation petition reaches the executive board, the withdrawal procedures shall be deemed finalized. Resignation from membership does not terminate the member’s accumulated debts to the association.

Dismissal from Membership

Article 5- Circumstances requiring dismissal from the membership of the Association.

• Acting in violation of the Association’s bylaw.
• Consistently avoiding assigned tasks.
• Failure to pay the membership fee within the month despite written warnings.
• Failure to comply with the resolutions taken by the organs of the Association.
• Losing the membership eligibility criteria.

In the event that one of the above-mentioned conditions is detected, a member may be dismissed from membership with the resolution of the Executive Board.

Those who leave or are dismissed from the association shall be deleted from the member registry and cannot claim any rights in the assets of the association.

Organs of the Association

Article 6- The organs of the Association are listed below.

• General Assembly
• Executive Board
• Supervisory Board

 

Form of Establishment of the General Assembly of the Association, Time of Meeting, Meeting Call and Meeting Procedure

Article 7- The General Assembly is the most authorized resolution-making organ of the association and consists of the members registered to the association. In the event that a branch of the Association is opened, it consists of members registered in the headquarters and branches up to three branches; if the number of branches is more than three, the registered members in the headquarters are transferred to the branches and the delegates are elected in the general assemblies of the branches.

General Assembly

• The date of the general assembly meeting specified in the bylaws is the ordinary meeting.
• In cases deemed necessary by the executive or supervisory board or upon the written application of one fifth of the members of the association, an extraordinary meeting is called by the executive board. If the executive board does not convene the general assembly, upon the application of one of the members, the magistrate shall appoint three members to convene the general assembly.

The Ordinary General Assembly convenes every 3 years in December on the day, place and time to be determined by the Executive Board.

Call Procedure

The executive board prepares the list of members who have the right to participate in the general assembly in accordance with the bylaw of the association. The members who have the right to participate in the General Assembly shall be called to the meeting at least fifteen days in advance by announcing the date, time, place and agenda of the meeting in at least one official gazette, on the website of the association, notifying in writing, sending a message to the e-mail address or contact number notified by the member or using local broadcasting tools. If the meeting cannot be held due to lack of majority, the date, time and place of the second meeting shall also be stated in this call. The period between the first meeting and the second meeting shall not be less than seven days and not more than sixty days.

If the meeting is postponed for any reason other than the lack of majority, this shall be announced to the members in accordance with the call procedure for the first meeting, specifying the reasons for postponement. The second meeting must be held within six months at the latest from the date of the postponement. The members shall be recalled to the second meeting in accordance with the principles set forth in the first paragraph.

The general assembly meeting cannot be postponed more than once.

Meeting Procedure

The General Assembly shall convene with the participation of the absolute majority of the members who have the right to participate, and two thirds in cases of amendment of the bylaws and dissolution of the association; in the case that the meeting is postponed due to failure of attendance by the majority, the majority is not sought in the second meeting. However, the number of members attending this meeting cannot be less than twice the total number of members of the executive and supervisory boards.

The list of members entitled to attend the General Assembly shall be available at the meeting place. The identity cards issued by the official authorities of the members who are to be admitted to the meeting place shall be checked by the members of the Executive Board or the officers to be assigned by the Executive Board. Members are admitted to the meeting place by signing their names on the list prepared by the Executive Board.

If the quorum is met, this shall be recorded in a minute and the meeting shall be opened by the chairman of the executive board or one of the members of the executive board to be appointed by the chairman of the executive board. In case the quorum is not met, a minute shall also be prepared by the Executive Board.

After the opening, a council committee is formed by electing a chairman and a minimum number of deputy chairmen and clerks to manage the meeting.

In the voting for the election of the organs of the Association, it is obligatory for the voting members to show their identity cards to the council committee and sign their names on the list of attendance.

The chairman of the council is responsible for the management and security of the meeting.

Only the items on the agenda shall be discussed in the General Assembly. However, the matters requested in writing to be discussed by one tenth of the members present at the meeting must be included in the agenda.

Each member has one vote in the General Assembly; the member must vote individually. Honorary members may attend general assembly meetings but cannot vote. In case a legal entity is a member, the chairman of the executive board of the legal entity or the person authorized to represent the legal entity shall vote.

The matters discussed and resolutions taken at the meeting shall be recorded in a minute book and signed by the chairman of the council and the clerks. At the end of the meeting, the minutes and other documents are delivered to the chairman of the executive board. The chairman of the executive board is responsible for safeguarding these documents and submitting them to the newly elected executive board within seven days.

Principles and Procedures of Voting and Resolution Making of the General Assembly

Article 8- Unless otherwise decided, an open voting shall be held in the General Assembly. The method specified by the chairman of the general assembly shall be applied in open voting.

In the case of a secret ballot, members voting with voting papers sealed by the chairman of the meeting shall cast their votes into an empty box and the result shall be determined by open counting upon the end of voting.

The resolutions of the General Assembly shall be taken by the absolute majority of the members attending the meeting. Thus, resolutions to amend the bylaw and dissolve the association can only be taken by a two-thirds majority of the members attending the meeting.

Resolutions taken without a Meeting or Call

The resolutions taken with the written agreement of all members without meeting and the resolutions taken by all members of the association without observing the call procedures in the bylaw are valid.

Resolutions taken in this manner do not constitute an ordinary meeting.

Duties and Authorities of the General Assembly

Article 9- The following matters shall be discussed and resolved by the General Assembly.

• Election of the organs of the Association.
• Amendment of the bylaw of the association.
• Discussion of the reports of the executive and supervisory boards and release of the executive board.
• Discussing the budget prepared by the executive board and accepting it as it stands or with amendments.
• Supervising other organs of the Association and dismissing them for justifiable reasons when deemed necessary.
• Examining and deciding on the appeals against the resolutions of the Executive Board on refusal of membership or dismissal from membership.
• Authorization of the Executive Board to purchase the immovable properties required for the Association or to sell the existing immovable properties.
• Reviewing and approving the regulations to be prepared by the Executive Board regarding the activities of the Association and approving them as they stand or with amendments.
• Determination of the salaries, all kinds of allowances, travel and compensation to be paid to the chairman and members of the executive and supervisory boards of the association who are not public officials, and the amount of per diem and travel allowances to be paid to the members to be assigned for the services of the association.
• Resolution on the association’s joining or leaving a federation.
• The decision on opening branches for the Association and authorizing the Executive Board to carry out the transactions related to the branch resolved to be opened.
• Association’s engaging in international activities, joining or leaving other associations and organizations abroad as a member.
• Establishment of a foundation by the Association
• Termination of the Association.
• Examination and resolution of other proposals of the Executive Board.
• As the most authorized body of the Association, to perform the tasks and exercise the authorities not delegated to any other body of the Association.
• Fulfillment of other duties specified by the General Assembly in the legislation.

 

Organization, Duties and Authorities of the Executive Board

Article 10- The Executive Board is elected by the General Assembly as five original and five substitute members.

At the first meeting after the election, the executive board designates the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, accountant and member by dividing the tasks with a resolution.

In the event of a vacancy in the original membership of the Executive Board due to resignation or other reasons, it is obligatory to call the substitute members to duty according to the order of the majority of votes received in the general assembly.

Duties and Authorities of the Executive Board

The Executive Board shall fulfill the following duties.

• To represent the Association or to authorize one of its members or a third party to do so.
• To carry out transactions regarding income and expenditure accounts and to prepare the budget for the next period and present it to the general assembly.
• To prepare the regulations regarding the activities of the Association and submit them to the approval of the General Assembly.
• With the authorization granted by the General Assembly, to purchase immovable property, to sell movable and immovable property belonging to the association, to construct buildings or facilities, to make lease agreements, to establish pledges, mortgages or real rights in favor of the association.
• To ensure the execution of transactions regarding the opening of branches with the authorization given by the General Assembly,
• To ensure the supervision of the branches of the Association,
• To ensure the opening of representative offices where deemed necessary,
• To execute the resolutions taken in the general assembly,
• To organize the operating account statement or balance sheet and income statement of the association at the end of each activity year and the report covering the activities of the executive board, and to present them to the general assembly when it convenes.
• To ensure the implementation of the budget.
• To resolve on the issues of membership or dismissal from the Association.
• To take and implement all kinds of resolutions within the scope of its authority in order to realize the purpose of the Association.
• To perform other duties and use the authorities assigned to it by the legislation.

 

Organization, Duties and Authorities of the Supervisory Board

Article 11- The Supervisory Board is elected by the General Assembly as three original and three substitute members.

In the event of a vacancy in the original membership of the Supervisory Board due to resignation or other reasons, it is obligatory to call the substitute members to duty according to the order of the majority of votes received in the general assembly.

Duties and Authorities of the Supervisory Board

Supervisory Board audits whether the association operates in line with the purpose and the fields of activity specified to be carried out for the achievement of the purpose, whether the books, accounts and records are kept in accordance with the legislation and the bylaw of the association, pursuant to the principles and procedures determined in the statute of the association and at intervals not exceeding one year, and submits the results of the audit in a report to the executive board and to the general assembly when it convenes.

The supervisory board may request the general assembly to convene when deemed necessary.

Sources of Income of the Association

Article 12- The sources of income of the Association are listed below:

• Member Fee: Members are charged an entrance fee of TRY 100 and a monthly fee of TRY 50. The authority to increase or decrease these amounts is the general assembly.
• Branch dues: To cover the general expenses of the Association, 10% of the member fees collected by the branches are transferred to the headquarters every six months.
• Donations and aids provided by real and legal persons to the association voluntarily,
• Revenues collected from activities organized by the Association such as tea and dinner meetings, trips and entertainment, performances, concerts, sports competitions and conferences,
• Income from the assets of the Association,
• Donations and aids to be collected in accordance with the provisions of the legislation on fundraising,
• Earnings derived from commercial activities undertaken by the association in order to obtain the income it needs to achieve its purpose,
• Other incomes.

 

Principles and Procedures of Bookkeeping of the Association and Books to be kept

Article 13- Bookkeeping principles:

The Association shall keep books on a business account basis. However, if the annual gross income exceeds the limit specified in Article 31  of the Regulation on Associations, books shall be kept on the balance sheet basis commencing from the following accounting period.

In the case of switching to the balance sheet basis of accounting, if the balance falls below the above-mentioned limit in two consecutive accounting periods, it is possible to return to the business account basis as of the following year.

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned limit, books may be kept on the balance sheet basis upon the resolution of the Executive Board.

In case where a commercial enterprise of the Association is established, books shall also be kept for the commercial enterprise in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Procedure Law.

Bookkeping Procedure

The books and records of the Association shall be kept in accordance with the procedures and principles specified in the Regulation on Associations.

Books to be Kept

The Association shall keep the following books.

1. The books to be kept on the business account basis and the principles to be followed are as follows:

• Resolution Book: The resolutions of the Executive Board are recorded in this book in order of date and number and the resolutions are signed by the members attending the meeting.
• Member Registration Book: The identity information of those who join the association as a member, their entrance and withdrawal dates are recorded in this book. The amount of the entrance and annual fees paid by the members can be recorded in this book.
• Document Record Book: Incoming and outgoing documents are recorded in this book with date and sequence number. The originals of incoming documents and copies of outgoing documents are filed. Documents received or sent via electronic mail are kept by printing them out.
• Business Account Book: Revenues received and expenses incurred on behalf of the Association are clearly and regularly recorded in this book.
• Receipt Certificate Record Book: The serial and sequence numbers of the receipt documents, the names, surnames and signatures of those who receive and return these documents, and the dates of receipt and return are recorded in this book.
• Fixtures Book: The date and form of acquisition of the fixtures belonging to the Association, the places where they are used or given, and the deregistration of those who have expired are recorded in this book.

It is not obligatory to keep the Receipt Certificate Record Book and the Fixtures Book.

1. The books to be kept during the balance sheet and the principles to be followed are as follows:

• The books registered in sub paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of paragraph (a) shall also be kept in case of keeping books during the balance sheet.
• Journal Book and General Ledger: The method of keeping and recording of these books shall be made in accordance with the principles of the Tax Procedure Law and the Accounting System Implementation General Communiqués issued pursuant to the authorization given to the Ministry of Finance by this Law.

 

Certification of the Books

The books that must be kept in the association (except the General Ledger) shall be certified by the provincial directorate of associations or a notary public prior to use. These books shall continue to be used until they run out of pages and shall not be subject to interim certification. However, the Journal Book kept on the balance sheet basis must be recertified every year in the last month preceding the year in which it will be used.

Income Statement and Balance Sheet Preparation

In case of keeping records on a business account basis, a “Business Account Statement” (specified in Annex-16 of the Regulation on Associations on December 31) is prepared at the end of the year. In case of keeping books on the balance sheet basis, balance sheet and income statement are issued at the end of the year (December 31) based on the Accounting System Implementation General Communiqués published by the Ministry of Finance.

Income and Expenditure Transactions of the Association

Article 14- Income and expenditure documents:

Association revenues are collected with a “Certificate of Receipt” (a sample of which can be found in Annex-17 of the Regulation on Associations). In the case of collection of the revenues of the Association through banks, documents such as bank receipts or account statements issued by the bank shall replace the receipt.

Expenditures of the Association are documented with expenditure documents such as invoices, retail sales receipts and self-employment receipts. However, for the payments of the association within the scope of Article 94 of the Income Tax Law, an expense voucher is used in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Procedure Law, and for payments that are not within this scope, documents such as “Expense Receipt” or “Bank Receipt” (a sample of which can be found in Annex-13 of the Regulation on Associations) are employed as expenditure documents.

Free goods and service deliveries to be performed by the Association to persons, institutions or organizations are made with the “In-Kind Aid Delivery Certificate” (a sample of which can be found in Annex-14 of the Regulation on Associations). The free goods and service deliveries to be performed by individuals, institutions or organizations to the association are accepted with the “In-Kind Donation Receipt Certificate” (a sample of which can be found in Annex-15 of the Regulation on Associations).

These documents shall be printed in the form and size shown in Annex-12, Annex-14 and Annex-15, in binders consisting of fifty original and fifty stub sheets, bearing consecutive serial and sequence numbers, self-carbonized, or in the form or continuous form to be printed through electronic systems and writing machines. Documents to be printed in the format of forms or continuous forms must be of the specified quality.

Receipt Documents

“Certificates of Receipt” (in the format and size shown in Annex-17 of the Regulation on Associations) to be used in the collection of the income of the association are printed by the resolution of the executive board.

The relevant provisions of the Regulation on Associations shall apply to the printing and control of the receipt documents, receiving them from the printing house, recording them in the book, transferring them between the old and new accountants, and the use of these receipt documents by the person or persons who will collect income on behalf of the association with the receipt document and the delivery of the collected income.

Authorization Certificate

Except for the original members of the executive board, the person or persons who will collect income on behalf of the association shall be determined by the resolution of the executive board by specifying the period of authorization. The “Authorization Certificate” (in Annex-19 of the Regulation on Associations) containing the clear identity, signature and photographs of the persons who will collect income is issued in duplicate by the association and approved by the chairman of the executive board of the association. Original members of the executive board may collect income without an authorization certificate.

The term of the authorization certificates shall be determined by the executive board for a maximum of one year. Expired authorization certificates are renewed according to the first paragraph. In cases such as the expiration of the term of the authorization certificate or the resignation, death, termination of employment or duty of the person to whom the authorization certificate is issued for, it is obligatory to deliver the authorization certificates issued to the executive board of the association within one week. Furthermore, the authorization to collect income can be revoked at any time by the resolution of the executive board.

Retention Period of Income and Expenditure Documents:

Except for the books, the receipt documents, expenditure documents and other documents used by the association shall be kept for 5 years in accordance with the number and date order in the books in which they are recorded, without prejudice to the periods specified in special laws.

Declaration of the Association

Article 15- The “Declaration of the Association” (presented in Annex-21 of the Regulation on Associations) regarding the activities of the association for the previous year and the results of the income and expenditure transactions as of the end of the year is submitted to the relevant local administrative authority by the chairman of the association within the first four months of each calendar year after approval by the executive board of the association.

Declaration Liability

Article 16- Declaration to be submitted to the local authority:

General Assembly Final Declaration

Within thirty days following the ordinary or extraordinary general assembly meetings, the General Assembly Final Declaration (Annex-3 of the Regulation on Associations) covering the original and substitute members elected to the executive and supervisory boards and other organs shall be submitted to the local administrative authority. In the case of amendment of the bylaw at the general assembly meeting; the minutes of the general assembly meeting, the old and new versions of the amended articles of the bylaw, the final version of the bylaw of the association, each page of which is signed by the absolute majority of the members of the executive board, shall be submitted to the local administrative authority within the period specified in this paragraph and in the attachment of a letter.

Declaration of Immovable Properties

The immovable properties acquired by the Association shall be declared to the local administrative authority by filling out the “Immovable Property Declaration” (presented in Annex-26 of the Regulation on Associations) within thirty days from the registration to the title deed.

Declaration of Receipt of Aid from Abroad

In case of receiving aid from abroad, the association shall fill out the “Declaration of Receiving Aid from Abroad” (specified in Annex-4 of the Regulation on Associations) and notify the local administrative authority prior to receiving aid.

Cash aids must be received through banks and the decleration requirement must be fulfilled prior to use.

Declaration of Changes

Changes in the association’s place of residence shall be declared to the local administrative authority within thirty days following the change by filling in the “Declaration of Change in Place of Residence” (specified in Annex-24 of the Regulation on Associations) and changes in the organs of the association outside the general assembly meeting shall be declared to the local administrative authority within thirty days following the change by filling in the “Declaration of Change in the Organs of the Association” (specified in Annex-25 of the Regulation on Associations).

Amendments to the bylaw of the Association shall also be declared to the local administrative authority within thirty days following the general assembly meeting in which the amendment to the bylaw is made, in the annex of the general assembly final declaration.

Internal Audit of the Association

Article 17- Internal audit may be carried out by the general assembly, the executive board or the supervisory board in the association, and the fact that an audit is carried out by independent supervisory organizations does not remove the liability of the supervisory board.

The supervisory board shall audit the association at least once a year. The general assembly or the executive board may conduct audits or have independent supervisory organizations conduct audits when deemed necessary.

Association’s Borrowing Procedures

Article 18- In order to achieve its purpose and carry out its activities, the Association may borrow money with the resolution of the Executive Board if deemed necessary. This borrowing can be in the form of goods and services purchased on credit or in cash. However, this borrowing cannot be carried out in amounts that cannot be covered by the income sources of the association and cannot be of a nature that will put the association into insolvency.

Establishment of Branches of the Association

Article 19- The Association may open branches wherever deemed necessary upon the resolution of the General Assembly. A founders board of at least three persons authorized by the executive board of the association for this purpose  submits the branch establishment declaration and the necessary documents specified in the Regulation on Associations to the highest local authority of the location where the branch will be established.

Duties and Authorities of Branches

Article 20- Branches are internal organizations of the Association which do not have legal personality, which are authorized and tasked to carry out autonomous activities in line with the purpose and service subjects of the Association, and for which the Association is responsible for its receivables and debts arising from all its transactions.

Organs of Branches and Provisions Applicable to Branches

Article 21- The organs of the branch are the general assembly, the executive board and the supervisory board.

The general assembly consists of the registered members of the branch. The executive board is elected by the branch general assembly as five original and five substitute members and the supervisory board as three original and three substitute members.

The duties and authorities of these organs and other provisions of this Bylaw concerning the association shall also apply to the branch within the framework stipulated by the legislation.

Time of the General Assembly of the Branches and Their Representation in the General Assembly of the Headquarters

Article 22- Branches are obliged to conclude their ordinary general assembly meetings at least two months prior to the general assembly meeting of the headquarters.

The ordinary general assembly of the branches convenes every 3 years in September, on the day, place and time to be determined by the branch executive board.

Branches are obliged to notify a copy of the general assembly final declaration to the local administrative authority and the headquarters of the association within thirty days following the date of the meeting.

Branches have the right to direct participation of all members in the general assembly of the headquarters up to three branches; if the number of branches is more than three, they have the right to participate in the general assembly of the headquarters through delegates to be elected in the general assembly of the branch, one (1) for every twenty (20) members registered in the branch, and if the remaining number of members is more than 10, one for each of these members.

Delegates elected at the most recent branch general assembly shall attend the general assembly of the headquarters. Members of the headquarters executive and supervisory board participate in the headquarters general assembly, but cannot vote unless they are elected as delegates on behalf of the branch.

Those who serve in the executive or supervisory board of the branches shall resign from their duties in the branch when they are elected to the executive or supervisory board of the headquarters.

Establishing a representative office

Article 23- The Association may open representative offices wherever it deems necessary with the decision of the Executive Board in order to carry out the activities of the Association. The address of the representative office shall be declared in writing to the local administrative authority of that location by the person or persons appointed as a representative by the decision of the executive board. The representative office is not represented in the general assembly of the association. Branches cannot open representative offices.

How to Amend the Bylaw

Article 24- Amendment of the Bylaw can be done with the resolution of the General Assembly.

In order to amend the bylaw in the general assembly, a 2/3 majority of the members who have the right to attend and vote in the general assembly is required. In case where the meeting is postponed due to the failure to achieve the majority, the majority is not sought in the second meeting. However, the number of members attending this meeting cannot be less than twice the total number of members of the executive and supervisory boards.

The required quorum for the amendment of the Bylaw is 2/3 of the votes of the members attending the meeting and are entitled to vote. Voting on the amendment of the bylaw in the general assembly shall be an open voting.

Termination of the Association and Liquidation of Assets

Article 25- The general assembly may at any time decide to terminate the association.

In order to discuss the termination in the General Assembly, 2/3 majority of the members who have the right to attend and vote in the General Assembly is required. In case where the meeting is postponed due to the failure to achieve the majority, the majority is not sought in the second meeting. However, the number of members attending this meeting cannot be less than twice the total number of members of the executive and supervisory boards.

The required quorum for the termination resolution is 2/3 of the votes of the members attending the meeting and entitled to vote. Voting on the termination of the association in the general assembly shall be an open voting.

Liquidation Procedures

When the General Assembly resolves to terminate the association, the liquidation of the money, property and rights of the association shall be carried out by the liquidation board consisting of the members of the last executive board. These procedures shall be initiated as of the date of the general assembly resolution on termination or the date of finalization of self-termination. During the liquidation period, the phrase “Worldwide Lawyers Association in Liquidation” shall be used in the name of the association in all transactions.

The liquidation board is responsible and authorized to complete the liquidation of the money, property and rights of the association from the commencement to the end in accordance with the legislation. The board first examines the accounts of the association. During the inspection, the books, receipts, expenditure documents, title deeds, bank records and other documents belonging to the association are identified and their assets and liabilities are recorded in a report. During the liquidation procedures, a call shall be made to the creditors of the association, and the assets, if any, shall be converted into money and paid to the creditors. If the Association is a creditor, the receivables are collected. All money, property and rights remaining after the collection of receivables and payment of debts shall be transferred to the location determined by the general assembly. If the location to be transferred is not determined in the general assembly, it shall be transferred to the association closest to its purpose in the province where the association is located and which has the highest number of members at the time of its termination.

All transactions regarding the liquidation shall be documented in the liquidation minutes and the liquidation procedures shall be completed within three months, except for additional periods granted by the local administrative authorities based on a justified reason.

Following the completion of the liquidation and transfer of the money, property and rights of the association, the liquidation board must notify the local administrative authority where the headquarters of the association is located with a letter within seven days and the liquidation report must be attached to this letter.

The members of the last executive board, as the liquidation board, are responsible for keeping the books and documents of the Association. This duty may also be assigned to a member of the executive board. The retention period of these books and documents is five years.

Lack of Provision

Article 26- The provisions of the Law on Associations, the Turkish Civil Code and the Regulation on Associations issued by reference to these laws and the provisions of other relevant legislation on associations shall apply to the matters not specified in this bylaw.

Provisional Article 1- The members of the provisional executive board who will represent the association until the organs of the association are formed in the first general assembly and who will carry out the affairs and transactions related to the associations are stated below.

Name and Surname:	Position Title:
1-    Cavit TATLI	Chairman
2-    Fikret ÖZGÜL	Vice Chairman
3-    Âdem YILDIRIM	Vice Chairman
4-    Ömer Faruk YILDIRIM	Secretary
5-    Mahmut Doğan	Accountant
6-    Ahmet Akif DEMİR	Member
7-    Burhan ATEŞ	Member

This regulation consists of 26 (twenty-six) articles and 1 (one) temporary article.