The Alevi ADR Practices in Türkiye

Despite the declining influence of religion on individuals in the modern world, faith-based alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practices are still many people’s first preference. Correspondingly, a religious group, Alevi people or Alevis have sought legal solutions based on specific religious norms founded in their interpretation of Islam. The Alevi ADR, also known as Alevi Courts, are established by its community members as a substitute for the official state courts. However, the courts have not caught much attention of the Academica, let alone the fact that it is not known at all by many Alevis. This article not only introduces a dispute resolution tradition of Alevis in a well-descriptive way but also evaluates it through socio-legal lenses. Making use of a literature study combined with qualitative interviews with community members, the article attempts to answer the question “to what extent are Alevi Courts viable ADR practices in the legal pluralist context of Turkey?” Then, revealing insights into the Alevi law, the article also illuminates how these courts have been structured and functioning, what impact the courts leave on the daily life of an Alevi and what the historical and modern challenges affect this impact as well.