You complete the order, deliver the goods and issue the invoice. The customer first promises a payment date, then alleges that the delivery was incomplete or stops responding altogether. In a commercial receivables dispute, the invoice should be examined together with the contract, order and delivery relationship.
In brief: An invoice is an important document, but it does not in every case prove delivery or the full amount claimed on its own. The order, agreed price, delivery, due date, objections and any partial payments should be assessed together.
Identify the legal basis of the receivable
Start by establishing which goods or services were agreed, at what price and on what terms. Even where there is no formal written contract, purchase orders, accepted quotations, emails and the parties’ established course of dealing may be relevant. Different records can carry different evidential weight.
If the company named on the invoice differs from the entity that ordered or received the goods, authority and identity of the contracting party must be examined. A debt owed by one company in a corporate group cannot automatically be claimed from another entity merely because their names are similar.
Documents to collect together
- The contract, quotation and purchase-order confirmation.
- Invoices and records showing that they were sent or received.
- Dispatch notes, signed delivery records and courier documents.
- Correspondence acknowledging the debt or alleging defects or shortages.
- Bank statements and records of any partial payments.
- Notices, returns and documents relating to the due date.
Where the debtor alleges incomplete delivery, compare the complaint with the dispatch and delivery records. If a partial payment has been made, identify what it was said to cover and calculate the remaining principal separately from any interest or costs.
Due date, default and interest
The due date can arise from the contract, invoice, accepted commercial practice or applicable statutory rules. Whether a separate notice of default is required depends on the circumstances. Interest should not be calculated by simply selecting the highest rate available; the contractual and statutory basis must be identified.
Commercial books and accounting records may also become relevant subject to the rules governing their evidential value. An invoice that was not objected to can be significant, but it does not automatically end every dispute about delivery or the underlying contractual relationship.
Enforcement, litigation and mediation
A written demand, enforcement proceedings or a court claim may be considered depending on the documentation and the debtor’s position. If an enforcement proceeding is contested, a separate action may be required. The most efficient route cannot be selected solely from the fact that an invoice exists.
For commercial monetary claims, mandatory mediation requirements should also be checked before litigation where applicable. Mediation does not itself establish the debt; it is a procedural step that may also provide an opportunity for a structured settlement.
Can the company owner be pursued personally?
Company debt and a shareholder’s or manager’s personal liability are separate matters. Unless there is a personal guarantee, suretyship or another specific legal basis, ownership of the company does not make a person automatically liable for every corporate debt.
Frequently asked questions
Are WhatsApp messages useful evidence?
Lawfully obtained messages may contribute to the evidential picture. Identity, completeness and consistency with other records matter; a single cropped screenshot may not be sufficient.
The customer accepted the goods but later complained. Does that end the dispute?
No. Timing and content of any inspection, acceptance or complaint must be assessed under the contract and applicable commercial rules.
Can I claim all collection costs from the debtor?
Not automatically. Recoverable interest, costs and legal fees depend on the procedural route and the applicable rules.
Prepare a clear record before making an enquiry
List each invoice number, date, amount, agreed due date and delivery record in one schedule. Deduct partial payments and returns to show the outstanding amount. Add the other party’s objections and your responses in date order, so inconsistencies can be identified before an application.
DISCUSS YOUR CASE
Discuss an unpaid commercial debt
We can review your contract, delivery records, invoices and correspondence to assess your options under Turkish law.
A brief summary and important dates are enough for an initial enquiry. Send documents only when requested by our lawyers, through the channel they specify. Do not share passwords, one-time codes or wallet keys.
Sources and legislation
Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102
Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098
Originally prepared on 8 September 2026. This article provides general information on Turkish law. Remedies and deadlines should be assessed against the documents and circumstances of each case. The image is illustrative.
Related reading
My Business Partner Will Not Show the Accounts
Company Email Was Impersonated and Payment Went to the Wrong IBAN
Related practice area: Corporate & Commercial Law.