Cihan Mercan

Practice Areas

Dispute Resolution, Energy and Infrastructure

Career

Cihan Mercan joined Kolcuoğlu Demirkan Koçaklı in 2016. After three years’ experience in the Firm, Cihan relocated to the UK for one year to pursue a master’s level degree at the University of Oxford (Magister Juris). After completing his master’s degree, he returned to the Firm in 2020. He is qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales, making him a dual-qualified attorney.

Professional Memberships

Istanbul Bar Association; Solicitor of England & Wales; Oxford Union, ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, Young International Arbitration Group, Young ISTAC (Istanbul Arbitration Centre), Istanbul Erkek High School Alumni Association, Galatasaray University Alumni Association.

Publications

Co-author of ‘Import of Gas: How Liberal is Turkey?’, ‘Turkish Commercial Law Review’, Vol.4 Issue 1 (2018); “The International Arbitration Guide,” Turkey Chapter, (Chambers and Partners, 2017).

Personal

University of Oxford, School of Law, Magister Juris (MJur) (2020); Galatasaray University School of Law (2015) (valedictorian); Istanbul (Erkek) High School (2010).

Languages Spoken

English, German, French, Turkish

Clients

SOCAR AQŞ, ArcelorMittal RZK, Coca Cola İçecek, Combell (a team.blue subsidiary), Deloitte, LR Health & Beauty Systems, Alsim Alarko, Bahrain Middle East Bank, Bedeschi, Global Founders Capital, Vinmar, Vossloh AG and Oliver Samwer.

Work Highlights

Some of Cihan’s recent work highlights include legal advice to and representation of Bedeschi, one of the oldest European companies specialized in bulk material handling, in the collection of its receivables from a leading Turkish construction company; Combell, a premium hosting brand and the largest hoster in Belgium, in an ICC arbitration against a Turkish hosting company’s former shareholders concerning a dispute arising from the breach of representations and warranties under the share purchase agreement concerning the acquisition of a Turkish hosting company; Alsim Alarko, one of the largest conglomerates in Turkey in relation to a dispute arising from the performance of work relating to the high-speed train (TGV) line in Africa; and Global Founders Capital and Mr. Oliver Samwer in a lawsuit concerning a share transfer transaction valued at USD 589 million.

Experience

Cihan Mercan has been a member of the Firm’s Dispute Resolution and Energy & Infrastructure teams. He has been involved in the settlement of various disputes and has acted in litigation and arbitration cases. Cihan’s practice mainly focuses on commercial disputes, insolvency proceedings, as well as enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards in Turkey.

Cihan is highly experienced in arbitration and is well-versed in internationally recognized rules and practices. He represents his clients in various arbitration institutions including, ICC, LME, LCIA, SAC and ISTAC, and in ad hoc arbitrations. On top of that, Cihan has been involved in M&A transactions, giving him insight into the dynamics of these transactions, valuable for his Arbitration practice.

He has significant experience in energy law, particularly in oil & gas matters, and regularly advises clients on Turkish public tender legislation. Combining his experience in energy & infrastructure projects and dispute resolution, Cihan successfully advises and represents clients in complex disputes.

Cihan regularly gives lectures on arbitration at universities and at events organised by ISTAC, Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Istanbul Bar Association and ICC YAAF, alongside senior arbitration practitioners. He also has been a mentor at Young ISTAC Mentorship Programme and mentoring future arbitration practitioners.