Deva Villanúa

Curriculum Vitae

Deva Villanúa is a lawyer specialised in international arbitration.

Born 1978. Married. Two children. Spanish nationality.

Professional experience

Since 2002 Deva Villanúa has been an arbitrator in Armesto & Asociados, a boutique of arbitrators with an international, independent profile and a good business sense.

Deva Villanúa has been designated President of the Arbitral Tribunal, Emergency Arbitrator, sole Arbitrator and as party-appointed arbitrator in more than 50 commercial cases; she has also acted as Secretary to the Arbitral Tribunal in more than 30 commercial arbitrations. In investment arbitrations she has been appointed co-arbitrator in three cases, President in four cases and she has been appointed to two annulment committees (one as President); she has also had an active involvement as assistant in more than 15 investment arbitrations.

Since 2018 Deva is Vice-president of the ICC Court of Arbitration.

Additionally, Deva is listed on ICSID’s Panel of Arbitrators.

Other professional memberships

Member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Club of Arbitration
Equal Representation in Arbitration (Steering Committee)
Chambers of Commerce: Lima, Lisbon, Quito and Uruguay
Am-Cham Peru
Member of the SHAC’s and BAC/BIAC’s Panel of Arbitrators
Madrid Bar Association
Madrid Economics Association.

Education

Deva Villanúa holds a double degree in Law and Business Administration (University Carlos III, Madrid). She obtained the Abitur at the German School in Madrid.

Public achievements

Deva is ranked by Chambers as a Band 1 Most in Demand Arbitrators in Spain; she is also ranked on Who’s Who Legal and Leaders League and been recognised in InspiraLaw’s Top 50 Women List.

Languages

Spanish (mother tongue), German (bilingual), English (bilingual), Portuguese (fluent) and French (intermediate).

V-CARD

List of Arbitrations

As an Arbitrator

Commercial Arbitrations

Colombian chemical company vs. Swiss, American and Colombian consumer goods companies, Chairwoman, ICC, Colombian law, Spanish language (2022)
Brazilian energy company vs. Brazilian energy company, Chairwoman, ICC, Brazilian law, Portuguese language (2022).
Spanish energy company vs. German energy company, Co-arbitrator, ICC, Spanish law, English language (2022).
Spanish engineering and construction company vs. Portuguese biomass plant operators, Co-arbitrator, ICC, Portuguese law, English language (2022).
Mexican logistics company vs. Mexican distributor of hydrocarbons, petroleum and petrochemical products, Chairwoman, ICC, Mexican law, Spanish language (2022).
Spanish insurance companies v. Spanish banks, Co-arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, Spanish language (2021).
Canadian and Barbadian investment funds vs. Peruvian real estate company, Co-arbitrator, AmCham Perú, framework investment agreement, Peruvian law, Spanish language (2021).
Peruvian gas distributor vs. Peruvian electricity utility, Co-arbitrator, CCL, Distribution Agreement, Peruvian law, Spanish language (2021).
Peruvian oil and gas company vs. Peruvian, Korean and British oil and gas companies, Chairwoman, ICC, Peruvian law, Spanish language (2021).
Ecuadorian telecommunications consortium vs. Ecuadorian regulatory agency, Co-arbitrator, CIAM (Quito), concession agreement, Spanish language (2021).
Portuguese bridge engineering company vs. Mexican construction company, Co-arbitrator, ICC, Spanish language (2021).
Spanish energy company vs. Spanish energy company, Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, share purchase agreement, Spanish law, Spanish language (2020).
International consortium in the petroleum sector vs. Caspian Sea Republic, Chairwoman, ad-hoc, English language (2020).
Brazilian engineering company vs. Dutch holding company, Privilege Master, ICC, English language (2020).
Peruvian company vs. Peruvian company (corporate dispute), Chairwoman, AmCham Perú, Peruvian law, Spanish language (2019).
Chilean construction company vs. Peruvian State entity, Co-arbitrator, ICC, Spanish language (2019).
Supplier vs. Solar power plant constructor and owner, Co-arbitrator, ICC, Brazilian law, English language (2019).
Fast food chain company vs. Group of investors, Co-arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, Spanish law, Spanish language (2019).
Danish company vs. Spanish company (corporate dispute), Co-arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, Spanish law, English language (2019).
Spanish wholesale club company vs. Spanish food and beverages retail company, Chairwoman, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, Spanish law, English language (2019).
Argentinian oil and gas company vs. Venezuelan oil company and American and Dutch affiliates, Chairwoman, ICC, Dutch law, English language (2019).
US construction company vs. Central American office of an international organisation, Chairwoman, Uncitral, lex mercatoria, Spanish language (2019).
Mexican solar system company vs. Mexican electricity utility, Co-arbitrator, ICC, Mexican law, Spanish language (2019).
Latin-American electricity company vs. State-owned electricity utility, Chairwoman, ICC, Spanish language (2018).
Brazilian subsidiary of energy company vs. Spanish engineering and construction company, Co-arbitrator, ICC, Brazilian law, Portuguese language (2018).
Mexican construction company vs. Mexican petrochemical company, Chairwoman, ICC, Mexican law, Spanish language (2018).
Peruvian peasant community vs. Peruvian mining company, Co-arbitrator, Centro de Arbitraje de la Cámara de Comercio de Lima, Framework Agreement, Peruvian law, Spanish language (2018).
Spanish purchaser vs. Swiss seller, Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, Spanish law, English language (2017).
Independent review panel expert determination on objections to the application of new generic top level domain, Co-arbitrator, International Centre for Expertise, ICC, English language (2017).
Independent review panel expert determination on objections to the application of new generic top level domain, Co-arbitrator, International Centre for Expertise, ICC, English language (2017).
Independent review panel expert determination on objections to the application of new generic top level domain, Co-arbitrator, International Centre for Expertise, ICC, English language (2017).
Virgin Islands company v. Colombian company, Chairwoman, ICC, shareholder’s agreement, Colombian law, Spanish language (2017).
French distillery vs. Spanish distillery, Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, es aequo et bono, Spanish language (2016).
Spanish Fund manager vs. Spanish Venture Capital Fund, Chairwoman, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, Spanish law and language (2016).
Spanish beverage producer vs. distributor of beverage, Chairwoman, Corte Española de Arbitraje, distribution agreement, Spanish law and language (2016).
Spanish construction company vs. Spanish construction company, Emergency Arbitrator, Corte Española de Arbitraje, consortium agreement, Spanish law and language (2016).
Spanish and Chilean train construction companies vs. Canadian and Chilean train construction companies, Sole Arbitrator, ICC, consortium agreement, Spanish law, English language (2016).
Spanish company vs. Spanish bank, Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, financial derivatives contract, Spanish law and language (2016).
Supplier (Poland) vs. Buyer (Turkey), Chairwoman, ICC, Swiss law, English language (2016).
Start-up company (Spain) vs. investor (Spain), Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, shareholders’ agreement, Spanish law and language (2016).
A.E. commodity importer vs. Colombian steel company, Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, Spanish law and language (2015).
Spanish construction company vs. Spanish State entity, Co-arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, administrative concession contract, Spanish law and language (2015).
Mexican construction company vs. Bolivian State entity, Emergency Arbitrator, ICC, Bolivian law, Spanish language (2015).
German consulting firm vs. Peruvian State entity, Chairwoman, ICC, German law, Spanish language (2015).
Spanish company vs. Spanish company in IT sector, Co-arbitrator, ICC, service agreement, Spanish law and language (2014).
International equipment procurement intermediary vs. Swiss Manufacturer, Sole Arbitrator, ICC, Swiss law, English language (2014).
Spanish subsidiary of American Manufacturers vs. Spanish Distributor, Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, Spanish law and language (2013).
Spanish company vs. Spanish bank, Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, financial derivatives contract, Spanish law and language (2012).
German Subcontractor vs. Dutch Contractor, Chairwoman, ICC, construction agreement, Spanish law and Spanish and English language (2012),
Spanish Franchisor Spanish Franchisee, Co-arbitrator, ad hoc, franchise agreement, Spanish law and language (2012).
Spanish Bank vs. Spanish Company, Co-arbitrator, Corte Española de Arbitraje, financial derivatives contract, Spanish law and language (2011).
Spanish Construction Company vs. Spanish Bank, Co-arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, financial derivatives contract, Spanish law and language (2011).
Spanish Shareholder vs. Dutch and Spanish Pharmaceuticals, Co-arbitrator, ICC, shareholders’ agreement, Spanish law, English language (2010).
Spanish Timber Company vs. Spanish Insurance Company, Sole arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, insurance policy, Spanish law and language (2010).
Spanish Franchisor vs. Spanish Franchisee, Co-arbitrator, ad hoc, franchise agreement, Spanish law and language (2010).
Spanish Bank vs. Spanish Company, Co-arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, financial derivatives contract, Spanish law and language (2009).
Spanish Subsidiary of German Bank vs. English Insurance Company, Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, breach of insurance policy, Spanish law and language (2009).
Spanish Subsidiary of American Insurance Company vs. Spanish Maritime Transportation Company, Sole Arbitrator, ICC, claim for damages, Spanish law and language (2009).
Spanish Company vs. Spanish Company, Sole Arbitrator, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, breach of service contract, Spanish law and language (2009).

Investment Arbitrations

Singaporean and Dutch investors vs. Western Asian State, Privilege Master, ICSID, English language (2022)
Luxembourg investor vs. Latin American State, Privilege Master, ICSID, English language (2022).
Infinito Gold Ltd. vs. Republic of Costa Rica, Member of the Annulment Committee (other committee members: D. Brian King (President) and José Antonio Moreno Rodríguez), ICSID Case No. ARB/14/5, annulment proceedings (2022).
Société Générale S.A. vs. Republic of Croatia, Chairwoman (co-arbitrators: George Bermann and Vanessa Mak), ICSID Case No. ARB/19/33, investment arbitration under BIT, English language (2021).
Latin American petrochemical company vs. Latin American State, Co-arbitrator, Uncitral, Investment Treaty-based arbitration, Spanish language (2021).
TECO Guatemala Holdings, LLC vs. Republic of Guatemala, Chairwoman (other committee members: Doug Jones and Lawrence Boo), ICSID Case No. ARB/10/23, annulment proceedings (2021).
IBT Group, LLC and IBT, LLC vs. Republic of Panama, Chairwoman (co-arbitrators: Guido Tawil and Mónica Pinto), ICSID Case No. Arb/20/31, investment arbitration under BIT, Spanish language (2020).
South32 SA Investments Limited vs. Republic of Colombia, Chairwoman (co-arbitrators: Guido Tawil and Andrés Jana), (Assistant to the Tribunal: Francisca S. Cardoso), ICSID Case No. ARB/20/9, investment arbitration under BIT, Spanish and English languages (2020).
Leopoldo Castillo Bozo vs. Republic of Panama, Chairwoman, PCA 2019-40, Spanish language (2020).
Italian construction companies vs. South American State Railways Institution and South American State, Co-arbitrator, ICC, Spanish language (2019).
Air Canada vs. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Co-arbitrator, (ICSID Case No. ARB(AF)/17/1), English language (2017).

As Secretary to the Tribunal

Latin-American oil refinery vs. construction companies. Administrative Secretary, ICC, construction agreement, English and Spanish language, (2016).
Audit company (Belgium) vs. individuals (Italy), Administrative Secretary, ICC, Belgian law, English language, (2016).
Gaming sector companies vs. East European State, Administrative Secretary, UNCITRAL, investment arbitration under BIT, English language, (2016).
Expert determination on objections to the application of new generic top level domain, Assistant to the Expert, International Centre for Expertise, ICC, English language, (2013).
Expert determination on objections to the application of new generic top level domain, Assistant to the Expert, International Centre for Expertise, ICC, English language, (2013).
Expert determination on objections to the application of new generic top level domain, Assistant to the Expert, International Centre for Expertise, ICC, English language, (2013).
Expert determination on objections to the application of new generic top level domain, Assistant to the Expert, International Centre for Expertise, ICC, English language, (2013).
Expert determination on objections to the application of new generic top level domain, Assistant to the Expert, International Centre for Expertise, ICC, English language, (2013).
Spanish Bottled Water Company vs. Spanish Bank, Administrative Secretary, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, financial derivatives contract, Spanish law and language, (2013).
Ecuadorian Company vs. Ecuadorian Public Company, Administrative Secretary, ICC, public service concession agreement, Ecuadorian law, Spanish language, (2012).
Middle Eastern Pipeline Operator vs. Middle Eastern Gas Producer and Middle Eastern Buyer of Gas, Administrative Secretary, ICC, gas supply and purchase agreement, English law and language, (2012).
Spanish Company vs. Spanish Bank, Administrative Secretary, Corte de Arbitraje de Madrid, financial derivatives contract, Spanish law and language, (2012).
Austrian Joint Venture vs. American Shareholder, Administrative Secretary, VIAC, termination of shareholders’ agreement, Austrian law, English language, (2011).
State owned Corporation vs. Sovereign State of the EU, Administrative Secretary, ICC, purchase agreement in the defence sector, English language, (2010).
Nova Scotia Power Incorporated Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Assistant to the Chairman, PCA, investment arbitration under BIT, English language, (2009).
Spanish Subsidiary of Private Equity Fund vs. Sister Company of the same Private Equity Fund, Administrative Secretary to the Adjudicator, ad hoc, termination of joint venture, Spanish law, English language, (2009).
Spanish Seller vs. Spanish Buyer, Administrative Secretary, Corte Española de Arbitraje, share purchase agreement, Spanish law and language, (2008).
Uruguayan Association vs. Financial Company, Administrative Secretary, ICC, sale of investment funds, Uruguayan law, Spanish language, (2008).
Vito G. Gallo vs. Government of Canada, Assistant to the Chairman, UNCITRAL, PCA, investment arbitration under NAFTA, English language, (2007).
City Oriente Limited vs. Republic of Ecuador and Empresa Estatal Petróleos del Ecuador (Petroecuador), Assistant to the Chairman, ICSID CaseARB/06/21, under investment contract, Spanish language, (2007).
Joseph Charles Lemire vs. Ukraine, Assistant to the Chairman, ICSID Case No. ARB/06/18, investment arbitration under BIT, English language, (2007).
Argentinian Company vs. German Company and Argentinian Subsidiary of German Company, Administrative Secretary, ICC, joint venture agreement, extraordinary legislation, Argentinian law, Spanish language, (2007).
British Company vs. State Owned Company, Administrative Secretary, ICC, construction agreement, expropriation, Iranian law / Sharia law, English language, (2006).
Spanish Company vs. Spanish Gas Supplier, Administrative Secretary, ad hoc, gas distribution agreement, determination of gas price, Spanish law and language, (2005).
German Airplane Leasing Company vs. Mexican Lessor, Administrative Secretary, ICC, aircraft lease agreements, German law, English language, (2005).
Argentinian Company vs. International Supplier, Administrative Secretary, ICC, construction agreement, English language, (2005).
Mexican Subsidiary of US Company vs. Mexican State Owned Company, Administrative Secretary, ICC, construction agreement, Mexican law, Spanish language, (2005).
International Construction Consortium vs. Colombian State Owned Company, Administrative Secretary, ICC, construction agreement, Colombian law, Spanish language, (2005).
Spanish Sellers vs. Spanish Subsidiary of Italian Buyer, Administrative Secretary, ICC, share purchase agreement, Spanish law and language, (2005).
Spanish Seller vs. United Kingdom Buyer, Administrative Secretary, CIMA, share purchase agreement, Spanish law and language, (2004).
Luxembourg Bank Holding vs. Central European Republic, Administrative Secretary, ICC, dispute arising from privatization of a bank, Austrian law, English language, (2004).
Brazilian energy company vs. Brazilian energy company, Administrative Secretary, ICC, shareholders’ agreement, Brazilian law, English language, (2004).
Banco Central do Brasil (Brasil) vs. Banco Central del Uruguay (Uruguay), Assistant to the Chairman, arbitration between central banks under ALADI Rules, Spanish language, (2006).
SAUR International vs. Argentine Republic, Assistant to the Chairman, ICSID Case No. ARB/04/4, investment arbitration under BIT, Spanish and French languages, (2004).
Unisys Corporation vs. Argentine Republic, Assistant to the Chairman, ICSID Case No. ARB/03/27, investment arbitration under BIT, English language, (2004). (Suspended).
Canadian Company vs. Bolivian State Agency, Administrative Secretary, UNCITRAL, construction agreement, Bolivian law, Spanish and English languages, (2003).