“Francis is very intelligent and a very strong advocate. He is able to think on his feet in court.” – Chambers Asia-Pacific
Francis is Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP’s Regional Head of Disputes Group; he practises international and treaty arbitration and cross-border commercial litigation.
A veteran in the field, Francis has 35 years of legal practice and is actively involved in cross-border commercial disputes in the areas of corporate, banking, property, financial and investment related claims. Francis has a track record of being involved in novel and unprecedented cases.
He is currently heavily involved in a number of investor-state claims.
Francis is recognised as a leading disputes lawyer by renowned legal publications, including:
- Chambers Global and Asia-Pacific (2016-2024)
- Asialaw Leading Lawyers (2009, 2017-2024)
- Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2014-2019, 2021 – 2024)
- Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific (2019 – 2024)
- Best Lawyers in Singapore (2013-2025)
- Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2020 – 2023)
- Who’s Who Legal : Commercial Litigation (2020 – 2023)
- Who’s Who Legal: Labour, Employment & Benefits (2016, 2018 – 2023)
- Who’s Who Legal: Southeast Asia (2020 – 2024)
- Best Litigation Lawyers in Singapore (2013, 2022, 2024)
- Global Arbitration Review (2010)
He was also identified as one of Singapore’s Top 100 Lawyers by Asia Business Law Journal for two years running (2023 – 2024), Asia’s Top 15 Litigators by Asian Legal Business (2021) and winner of a Business Excellence Award (2019) issued by Corporate Insider.
He has appeared as counsel and has acted as arbitrator (both party appointed and presiding) in a large number of arbitrations (both ad hoc and administered including by ICSID, ICC, SIAC, AIAC, ICA, HKIAC, BANI and the Permanent Court of Arbitration).
Francis is a Chartered Arbitrator and has acted for a number of parties in treaty disputes (including several Asian governments). He is presently assisting several governments in setting up their international arbitration framework.
He is the immediate past global President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and also the immediate Past President of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association.
He is the General Editor of two major publications – “Civil Litigation in Singapore” (Sweet & Maxwell, 2017) and “Arbitration in Singapore: A Practical Guide” (2nd Edition, Sweet & Maxwell, 2018).
He is the Chair of AAA-ICDR Asia Advisory Council.
He is the Chairman of the Listings Appeals Committee, Singapore Stock Exchange. He is also the Chairman of the Inquiry Panel of the Law Society of Singapore.
EXPERIENCE
Reported Judgments (as Counsel)
- CZT v CZU [2024] SGCA(I) 6
- BCBC Singapore Singapore Pte Ltd and anorther v PT Bayan Resources TBK and another [2022] SGHC(I) 17
- Esben Finance Limited v Neil Wong Hou-Lianq [2022] SGCA(I) 1
- Esben Finance Limited V Neil Wong Hou-Lianq [2020] SGHC (1) 25
- CBX and another v CBZ and others [2020] SGHC (I) 21
- CBX and another v CBZ and others [2020] SGHC(I) 17
- ST Group Co Ltd and others vs Sanum Investment Limited [2019] SGCA 65
- BXY and others v BXX and others [2019] SGHC (I) 11
- PT Bayan Resources TBK and another v BCBC Singapore Ltd and another [2019] SGHC(I)[01]
- Sanum Investments Limited v ST Group Co, Ltd and others [2018] SGHC 141
- PT Bayan Resources TBK and another v BCBC Singapore Pte Ltd and another [2018] SGCA (I) 6
- PT Bayan Resources TBK and another v BCBC Singapore Pte Ltd and another [2018] SGCA(I) 6, Civil Appeal No 154 of 2017
- Shi Ka Yee v Nasraf Lucas Muzayyin & Anor (OS 682 of 2016) [2016] SGHC 138
- Marty Limited v Hualon Corporation (Malaysia)) Sdn Bhd (OS 501 of 2016) [2017] SGHC 127
- Abdul Rashid bin Abdul Manaf v Hii Yii Ann (Suit No. 930 of 2015) [2016] SGHCR 1
Unreported Judgements
- Gavin James Millar v 1. Lee Hsien Loong 2. Lee Kuan Yew, judgment dated 9 July 2007 in Civil Appeal No. 70 of 2007
- 1. Flairis Technology Corporation Limited 2. Flairis Advanced Manufacturing Pte Ltd v 1. Gan Huan Kee 2. Chan Tien Seng 3. Khong Soo Har @ Khong Fan Kee 4. Wong Kwok Ping, judgment dated 29 May 2002 of J Lai Siu Chiu in Suit No. 723 of 2001/A
- Sutjiawang Johanis Alias Tjia Eng Liong v Tjia Eng Soei, judgment dated 30 April 2002 of J Rubin in Suit No. 600025 of 2000
- Finnian Tseng Cheng Yao & anor v Tan Kah Imm, judgment dated 15 November 1999 of JC Amarjeet Singh in OS No. 735 of 1998
- Ismail Bin Sumali v Public Prosecutor, judgment dated 23 September 1994 of J Chao Hick Tin in CRA16 of 1994
- Re Arthur Leolin Price, QC, judgment dated 21 December 1994 of JC K S Rajah in OM 109 of 1994
- Boldward Enterprises Pte Ltd v Hitachi Zosen Singapore Limited, judgment dated 9 July 1997 of J Rubin in Suit No 865 of 1994
- Management Corporation Strata Title Plan No. 964 v Gordon Industrial Land Pte Ltd & Anor, judgment dated 19 April 1995 of J Goh Joon Seng in Suit No. 258 of 1994 (RA 222 of 1994)
Other Qualifications/ Appointments
Qualifications
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK
- Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators
- Fellow, Singapore Academy of Law
- Fellow, The Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators
- Panel of Arbitrators, Singapore International Arbitration Centre
- Panel of Neutrals, Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme
- Panel of Arbitrators, Beijing Arbitration Commission/Beijing International Arbitration Center, Eighth Panel of Arbitrators
- Panel of Arbitrators/Mediators and APEC Neutrals, eBram International Online Dispute Resolution Centre
- Panel of Arbitrators, Delhi International Arbitration Centre
- Panel of Arbitrators, Qingdao Arbitration Commission / Qingdao International Arbitration Center.
- Panel of Arbitrators, Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation.
- Panel of Arbitrators, Singapore International Arbitration Centre
- Panel of Arbitrators, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators
- Panel of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association, International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR)
- Panel of Arbitrators, Indian Council of Arbitration, New Delhi
- Panel of Arbitrators, Asian International Arbitration Centre (formerly KLRCA)
- Panel of International Arbitrators, Kigali International Arbitration Centre, Rwanda
- Panel of Arbitrators, Russian Arbitration Centre of the Russian Institute of Modern Arbitration, Moscow
- Panel of Arbitrators, Vietnam International Arbitration Center
- Panel of Arbitrators, Center for International Investment and Commercial Arbitration, Pakistan
- Panel of Arbitrators, Thailand Arbitration Center
- Panel of Arbitrators, Beihai Asia International Arbitration Centre
- Panel of Arbitrators, Maldives International Arbitration Centre
- Panel of Arbitrators/Mediators, Shanghai International Arbitration Centre
- Panel of Arbitrators, Hyderabad Arbitration Centre
- Panel of Arbitrators, Borneo International Centre For Arbitration And Mediation
- Specialist Mediator, Singapore International Mediation Centre
Appointments
- Founder Member and Advisor (AI & Law), Alliance for AI and Humanity.
- Senior Advisor, Beihai Asia International Arbitration Centre (BAIAC).
- Advisory Board, GeneJunction Pte Ltd.
- Member, Next Generation Russian Arbitrators (NGAR) Advisory Board.
- Member, International Advisory Committee of the Indian Council of Arbitration, New Delhi.
- Referee, appointed under 5.43 of The Industrial Relations Act for a further 2-year term (from April 2024), Industrial Arbitration Court, Singapore.
- Board member, Russian Arbitration Center at the Russian Institute of Modern Arbitration, Moscow; and Chair, International Arbitration Committee, RAC
- Member, Asia Advisory Committee, American Arbitration Association, International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR)
- Member, Advisory Committee of the Centre for International Alternative Dispute Resolution (CIAdr), Bangladesh
- Member, Indian Council of Arbitration, New Delhi
- Member, Advisory Board, Kovise Foundation Conflict Resolution International, Chennai
- Member, Global Advisory Board, Hyderabad Arbitration Centre
- Member, Users’ Council, Singapore International Arbitration Centre
- Member, Council of Law Reporting, Singapore Academy of Law
- Member, Professional Affairs Committee, Professional Values Chapter, Singapore Academy of Law
- Regional Pathway Leader and Faculty member, Approved Faculty of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK)
- Member, CIArb Global Professional Development Advisory Group
- Member, Panel of Neutrals – Law Society Neutral Evaluation and Determination Scheme (Singapore)
- Member, Panel of Arbitrators, Law Society Arbitration Scheme (Singapore)
- Chairman, Junior College Law Conference Organising Committee, Singapore Academy of Law (since 2009)
- Founder and Chairman, Persatuan Kebajikan dan Pendidikin Bumi Alam (NGO, Malaysia)
- Patron – MyCulture (NGO, Malaysia)
Awards
- Amongst Asia’s Top 15 Litigators, Asian Legal Business (2021)
- Aviation Lawyer of the Year – Global Awards (2020)
- Public Service Medal Award, National Day Awards, 23 November 2014 (for his role in the Singapore Academy of Law Committee on Legal Education and Studies)
- Merit Award, Singapore Academy of Law (2013)
- Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, Volunteer Award, Law Society of Singapore (2007)
PUBLICATIONS
Articles
- “A Multilateral Investment Court – A Mirage in the Horizon”, IPBA Journal, June 2021
- “A Presumption in the Implied Choice of Law Governing Arbitration Agreements? Sulamerica Reconsidered in Singapore” published in 2016 Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre 5th Anniversary book.
- “When is recourse available to the Singapore Courts for an anti-arbitration injunction?” Thought Leadership Experts published on 30 September 2015 Expert Guides.
- “The Issue of Extra-Territoriality in Securities Litigation: A Comparative View” published in 2011 Bloomberg Finance L.P. in the Vol. 4, No. 6 edition of the Bloomberg Law Reports – Asia Pacific.
- “The Rome Convention Dealing with Damages Caused By Foreign Aircraft to Third Parties” published in Lawlines, (Volume 9, Issue 2), June 2007.
- “The Impact of Free Trade Agreements on Labour Mobility”, published in the Law Gazette, December 2006.
- “Workplace Influenza Pandemic – Legal Boundaries and Best Practice” published in Lawlines, (Volume 8 Issue 1), March 2006.
- The Singapore perspective – “Pandemics and the Workplace, A Regional Analysis”, being part of an Asian-wide publication coordinated by Johnson Stokes and Masters, January 2006.
Books
- Contributor on the Chapter on “The Rise of International Commercial Courts” in Legal Research on Investment and Financing of Chinese Enterprises in the Singapore, Switzerland and Germany, the fifth series of Legal Research on overseas Investment and Financing for Chinese Enterprises (2019)
- General Editor, “Civil Litigation in Singapore” Sweet & Maxwell (2018)
- General Editor, “Arbitration in Singapore: A Practical Guide” (2nd Edition, Sweet & Maxwell, 2018)
- Contributor on the Chapter on Advocacy in the SICC in “Modern Advocacy – More Perspectives from Singapore” SAL Academy Publishing (2019).
- Contributor, report on “Women, Business and the Law 2018” (published by the World Bank Group)
- The Singapore Chapter, Women, Business and the Law 2014 and 2015: Removing Restrictions to Enhance Gender Equality (published by World Bank, IFC)
Talks Delivered
- Panel Speaker on ICSID’s Post- Award Remedies and Enforcement: “An Asian Perspective” – Thailand ADR Week , September 2024.
- Trainer (via zoom), “Alternative Dispute Resolution Training” organised by the African Legal Support Facility (“ALSF”), May and June 2024
- Lead Trainer, “International Commercial Arbitration Workshop”, organised by the US Commercial Law Development Program, Lao, Vientiane, April 2024.
- Speaker (via zoom), Interlocutory Applications In Arbitration” hosted by Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, March 2024.
- Speaker (via zoom), “ASEAN Business & Investment Law Training Course 2024 – hosted by Chulalongkorn University, March 2024.
- Speaker, “An International Investor Court”, Yangtze River Delta Financial Legal Forum, March 2024.
- Speaker, “International Arbitration in Change Time : Meeting Challenges, Bridging Divide”, APRAG Conference 2023 hosted by Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group and Beijing International Arbitration Center, Beijing, China, November 2023.
- Speaker, “International Dispute Resolution Consultations”, organised by the US Commercial Law Development Program, Lao, Vientaine, November 2023.
- Lead Trainer, International Commercial Arbitration Workshop: Best Practices for the Mongolian International Arbitration Centre, organised by the US Commercial Law Development Program, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, September 2023.
- Panelist, “Validity and Challenges on Enforcement of Emergency Arbitral Awards”, hosted by International Arbitration And Mediation Centre, Hyderabad, July 2023.
- Speaker, “Unveiling Lessons From the Past; Unearthing Strategies For The Future in ADR”, plenary session hosted by Borneo International Centre For Arbitration and Mediation in conjunction with its opening, Sabah, July 2023.
- Speaker, “Dispute Resolution for the Start-Up Ecosystem: SIAC’s Offerings”, Bengaluru Conference 2023 hosted by Singapore International Arbitration Centre, Bangalore, June 2023.
- Lead Trainer, International Commercial Arbitration Workshop for the Maldivian AGO, organised by the US Commercial Law Development Program, Male, May 2023.
- Speaker, “New SICC Rules”, hosted by Law Society Litigation Conference, Singapore, April 2023.
- Moderator (In person/via zoom), “The Mediation of Investor-State Disputes – What does the Future Hold?” jointly organised by CIArb Singapore Branch, Centre for International Law and International Law Arbitration, February 2023, Singapore.
- Speaker (via zoom), “Art of Cross-Examination in International Arbitration” hosted by Asia Pacific Centre for Arbitration & Mediation, New Delhi, February 2023.
- Speaker, session on “Corruption in Arbiration : Knowing the Unknown” hosted by Delhi International Arbitration Centre, Delhi Arbitration Weekend, February 2023.
- Speaker, (via zoom), conducted an Advocacy Workshop on cross examination on January 2023 organised by the Russian Institute of Modern Arbitration, Moscow.
- Trainer, Arbitration Award Writing, Maldives, International Arbitration Centre, Maldives, December 2022.
- Speaker (via zoom), “International, Arbitration 2023 : Paradigm Shifts”, Conference hosted by Russian National Committee of the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC Russia), Moscow, December 2022.
- Speaker, “What’s next for Arbitration & ADR”, BAIC Symposium 2022, hosted by Beihai Asia International Arbitration Centre, Singapore, November 2022.
- Panelist (via zoom) “Settlement Facilitations in Southeast Asia”, Berlin, November 2022.
- Panelist (via zoom), “The Sphere of Justice – Harmonization of private and public interest in law enforcement”, organised by the Russian Institute of Modern Arbitration, Moscow, October 2022.
- Speaker, “Disputes from Different Perspectives”, hosted by UKSLSS, Singapore, August 2022.
- Trainer, Maldivian Judiciary together with SIMC, Maldives, August 2022.
- Trainer, “Knowledge and Experience on International Arbitration”, hosted by Vietnam International Arbitration Centre, Ho Ci Minh, July 2022.
- Panelist (via zoom), “Civil-Commercial and International Law – Key Developments, hosted by CIArb, London, July 2022
- Panelist (via zoom), “ Hybrid Arbitration Proceedings – the Next Step after the Pandemic”, hosted by Thailand Arbitration Centre, Bangkok, July 2022.
- Panelist, “Arbitrators : The Constitution of Arbitral Tribunals in the Current Reality” , St Petersburg International, Forum, Moscow, June 2022.
Career Accolades
- “Francis has been able to turn things around for us.”, “Francis is a very intelligent lawyer who thinks out of the box.” and “I especially recommend Francis Xavier for his input. He is an outstanding advocate.” – Chambers Asia-Pacific (2024)
- “He has considerable experience and expertise and is one of the dominant market players in Singapore and Southeast Asia.” – The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2023)
- “Francis Xavier SC has been recognised by Who’s Who Legal Arbitration 2020 for his expertise in resolving complex international disputes and excellence across a wide range of matters. Through nomination from peers and clients, they have been highlighted as leading names in the field.” – Whos’ Who Legal Arbitration (2020)
- “Francis Xavier SC is ‘tenacious, innovative and has a well-prepared team,’ say market commentators. Another source praises his ‘fair-minded, honourable way of presenting the case.’ He is best known for representing clients on banking, property and investment disputes” – Chambers Global (2019)
- “Francis Xavier SC has a ‘strong legal mind’ and ‘a good rapport with the bench’.” – The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2018)
