“I don’t love you anymore” became the reason for divorce: a landmark ruling by Turkey’s Supreme Court

A surprising ruling by a Turkish court has sparked wide discussion in the country. The Supreme Court of Turkey has ruled that the words “I don’t love you, my feelings are gone,” spoken to a spouse, can be one of the grounds for assigning fault in divorce proceedings.

The decision stemmed from the case of a young married couple who turned to family court because of a serious conflict in their relationship. Both spouses filed for divorce. The court of first instance concluded that the main fault lay with the husband, as he had been violent toward his wife. As a result, the woman’s claim was granted, and the man’s claims were rejected.

However, the man appealed, and the case reached the 2nd Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court of Turkey. During the review of the case materials, it became clear that the woman had not only told her husband that her feelings had ended, but had also humiliated him in front of other people. In particular, the court found that she had publicly made statements that could offend the husband’s dignity, and had also said that she no longer loved him.

The Supreme Court concluded that such behavior also contributed to the breakdown of the family. Therefore, the judges ruled that the man had the right to seek divorce on an equal footing with his wife, and that his claim should not have been dismissed. The lower court’s decision was overturned.

Lawyers note that this is not simply about an admission of lost feelings. The key factor was the combination of words about love ending with the public humiliation of a spouse. It was this set of circumstances that was recognized as behavior undermining family relations and the dignity of the other party.

The ruling is already being called precedential, as it may be used in future divorce cases in Turkey. Experts believe that the court has thereby underlined that in family disputes, what matters is not only physical violence or financial claims, but also psychological impact, as well as the spouses’ respectful treatment of one another.

The news has triggered a strong reaction in Turkish society. Some consider the ruling fair, arguing that public humiliation of a partner really does destroy a marriage. Others fear that such a practice could lead to overly broad interpretation of the grounds for assigning fault in divorce. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court’s decision has already become one of the most discussed legal topics of the day in Turkey.