Nicola advises clients on a broad range of debt finance transactions. He advises financial institutions, sovereigns, government-related and supranational entities and corporates on regional and international conventional and Shari’ah-compliant financing transactions. Nicola has also advised on significant liability management exercises in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Nicola has been ranked as a “Rising Star” for Capital Markets in 2020–2022 by Legal 500.

Representative Work

Advised Ziraat Katilim Bankasi A.S. as obligor in connection with its debut international issuance of $500 million lease certificates due November 2026 issued by Ziraat Katilim’s wholly owned subsidiary Ziraat Katilim Varlik Kiralama A.S. This sukuk issuance was the first international issuance by a state-owned participation bank in Türkiye.
Advised the Joint Lead Managers on the issue of US$2 billion 2.250 percent. Trust Certificates due 2031 by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under its Trust Certificate Issuance Programme.
Advised Saudi National Bank (formerly The National Commercial Bank) on the issue of US$1.25 billion perpetual additional Tier 1 sukuk, the first international issuance of additional Tier 1 sukuk from Saudi Arabia.
Advised the Joint Lead Managers on the issue of US$750 million 8.750 percent. Notes due 2051 by the Arab Republic of Egypt under its US$40 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme.
Advised the Joint Lead Managers on the issue of US$1.75 billion 1.875 percent. Notes due 2031 by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and US$1.25 billion 3.000 percent. Notes due 2051 by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi under its Global Medium Term Note Programme.

Advised (i) the Joint Lead Managers on the issue of US$750 million 2 percent. Notes due 2028 and US$750 million 3.4 percent. Notes due 2051 under TAQA’s US$9 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme and (ii) the Joint Dealer Managers in relation to tender offers in respect of TAQA’s 3.625 percent. Notes due June 2021 and its 5.875 percent. Notes due December 2021.
Advised the Joint Lead Managers on the issue of US$1.5 billion Tier 2 sukuk by Riyad Bank, the first international issuance of Tier 2 sukuk from Saudi Arabia.
Advised the Joint Lead Managers on the issue of US$750 million additional Tier 1 Capital Securities by Emirates NBD.
Advised Industrial and Commercial Bank of China acting through its Dubai Branch on the issue of multiple series of Notes under its US$4 billion Medium Term Note Programme.

List may include matters worked on prior to joining Akin.