Information Package / Course Catalogue
Merchantile Law
Course Code: DTS106
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Short Cycle (Associate's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 4
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the basic concepts of commercial law, the structure of the Turkish Commercial Code, and legal regulations related to commercial life. By the end of the course, students are expected to understand the fundamental legal processes related to merchants, commercial enterprises, companies, and negotiable instruments law, and to be able to evaluate legal problems they may encounter in foreign trade activities.

Course Content

This course covers the fundamental concepts of commercial law, the structure of the Turkish Commercial Code, commercial enterprises, trade, and legal regulations relating to commercial transactions. It also examines key elements of commercial life such as the commercial registry, trade names, trademarks, unfair competition, company law, and negotiable instruments law.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.It explains the fundamental concepts of commercial law, the structure of the Turkish Commercial Code, and legal regulations related to commercial life.
2.It distinguishes between the concepts of commercial transaction, merchant, and merchant's assistants, and evaluates the legal consequences of commercial relationships.
3.The commercial registry provides legal interpretations of elements relating to a commercial enterprise, such as trade name, business name, and trademark.
4.Unfair competition analyzes legal institutions related to the functioning of commercial life, such as commercial ledgers and current account agreements.
5.It explains the fundamental principles of company law and negotiable instruments law, and evaluates the legal processes related to foreign trade transactions.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Prof. Dr. İ. Yılmaz Aslan, Commercial Law
2.Prof. Dr. Ayşe Sümer, Commercial Law
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to Commercial Law: The subject matter, sources, and relationship of commercial law with other branches of law.
Week 2 - Theoretical
Commercial Law and the Characteristics of the Turkish Commercial Code: The structure, fundamental principles, and scope of application of the Turkish Commercial Code.
Week 3 - Theoretical
The Concept of Commercial Transactions and the Consequences Attached to Commercial Transactions: Determining commercial transactions, applying commercial regulations.
Week 4 - Theoretical
The Concept of a Merchant: Individual merchants, legal entity merchants, acquisition and loss of merchant status.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Rules for Being a Merchant: Obligation to act as a prudent businessman, commercial customs and practices, bankruptcy provisions.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Trader Assistants: Dependent and independent trader assistants.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Commercial Registry: The purpose, operation, registration and publication procedures of the commercial registry.
Week 8 - Theoretical
Trade Name, Business Name and Trademark: Protection principles, terms of use and legal consequences.
Week 9 - Theoretical
Unfair Competition: Cases of unfair competition, legal and criminal consequences, and the protection of competition.
Week 10 - Theoretical
Business Books: Keeping, storing, and probative value of business books.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Current Account Agreement: The concept, elements, operation, and termination of current accounts.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Company Concept and Partnership: General characteristics of companies, establishment and operation of a partnership.
Week 13 - Theoretical
Commercial Companies: Basic characteristics of collective, limited partnership, joint-stock and limited liability companies.
Week 14 - Theoretical
Negotiable Instruments Law: The concept of negotiable instruments, bills of exchange, promissory notes, checks, and a general overview.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Quiz1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141242
Individual Work102240
Quiz1314
Midterm Examination1617
Final Examination1617
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)100
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
OÇ-1
3
5
4
OÇ-2
OÇ-3
3
4
3
OÇ-4
OÇ-5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026