Why did Turkey adopt the Swiss Civil Code in 1926?

Before the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the nation's civil law was tied to religion and administered by sharia courts. As part of a broader effort to modernize the state and move away from religious-based legal systems, Turkey adopted the Swiss Civil Code in 1926.1

This transition was a key component of the reforms initiated after the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the abolition of the caliphate. By replacing traditional Islamic law with a secular, European-based legal framework, the Turkish government sought to establish a modern, uniform, and secular judicial system. This shift was consistent with the Republic's goal of creating a new political and social identity that was distinct from the Ottoman past, ensuring that the judiciary could operate independently of religious authority.213