Carla de los Santos

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration; International Arbitration; Construction Arbitration; Commercial Arbitration; Arbitration-Related Litigation; Award Annulment Proceedings; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Contract Disputes

Carla De Los Santos is a partner with more than 17 years of experience in arbitration and litigation, with a particular focus on domestic and international commercial and construction arbitration.

She has extensive experience in complex construction disputes arising from major road and transportation projects, airports, hospitals, educational facilities, water and sanitation works, irrigation systems, energy transmission lines and mining-related infrastructure.

Carla regularly handles claims arising from public and private construction contracts, including extensions of time, cost overruns and associated general expenses, additional works, disruption, penalties, enforcement of performance bonds, contract termination, alleged hidden defects, contract settlement and liquidation, breaches and damages.

She has significant experience in disputes involving Peruvian state entities as well as private parties, including major construction, mining and energy companies. Her practice also covers standardized construction contracts, including NEC contracts and back-to-back subcontract structures.

Carla combines arbitration advocacy with a strong focus on dispute prevention and negotiation, advising clients at the pre-arbitration stage and securing favourable early settlements in complex, high-value disputes.

Founding member of Peruvian Young Arbitrators, a non-profit organisation promoting ethics, innovation and responsibility in arbitration practice.

Latin America Ambassador of Arbitrator Intelligence since 2018.

Copisa Constructora Pirenaica S.A. (Spain)

Rubika Proyectos S.A.C. (Peru)

Icafal Ingeniería y Construcción S.A. (Chile)

JJC Contratistas Generales S.A. (Peru)

Mas Errazuriz del Perú S.A.C (Chile)

Coansa del Perú Ingenieros S.A.C. (Peru)

Corporación Sehover S.A.C. (Chile)

Alpha Consult S.A. (Peru)

Castilho Engenharia e Empreendimentos S.A. (Brazil)

Ferrovial Construcción S.A. (Spain)

Acciona Construcción S.A. (Spain)

Impresa Pizzarotti & C. S.p.A. (Italy)

Chambers & Partners Latin America – Up and Coming, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (Peru).

Lexology Index – Arbitration, Future Leaders – Partners.

Corporación Sehover – Road Infrastructure Arbitrations

Lead counsel in five arbitrations arising from major road infrastructure and maintenance contracts, including works along Peru’s Southern Mining Corridor. Carla secured favourable awards in all five matters, with combined values exceeding PEN 43 million, including decisions setting aside contract terminations and recognizing justified delays, price increases and outstanding payments.

Impresa Pizzarotti – Hospital EPC Arbitrations

Lead counsel in arbitrations arising from the EPC contract for one of the Ministry of Health’s flagship hospital projects, valued at approximately USD 8.2 million. The proceedings resulted in favourable awards recognizing extensions of time and associated costs incurred by the contractor.

Castilho Engenharia – Road Maintenance Arbitration

Lead counsel in an arbitration arising from a major road maintenance contract with the Peruvian State. The tribunal granted an extension of time and recognized general expenses, COVID-19 implementation costs, reimbursement of improperly imposed penalties, outstanding payments and the return of performance guarantees.

Senior Associate, Estudio Muñiz, Olaya, Meléndez, Castro, Ono & Herrera Abogados (2019–2021).

Associate/Senior Associate, Simons Abogados (2013–2019).

Regular speaker at domestic and international arbitration events, and invited lecturer and workshop leader on arbitration-related topics.

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

Law degree

2008

American University Washington College of Law

Specialization in International Commercial and Investment Arbitration

2011

Transportation

Energy

Mining

Telecommunications

Construction

Water & Sanitation

Airport Infrastructure

Public Infrastructure – Health & Education