Xavier, Francis

Francis Xavier (b. 1964) is a pioneering leader in international commercial arbitration in Singapore. He specialises in aviation law and is renowned for his expertise in litigating and arbitrating corporate, commercial, and investment disputes. Born in Malaysia, Xavier moved to Singapore on an ASEAN scholarship for his A-Level education. He graduated with a bachelor of laws degree from the National University of Singapore in 1988 and was called to the Singapore Bar in 1989, followed by admission to the Bar of England and Wales in 2001. Beginning his legal career at Allen & Gledhill, he practiced criminal and civil law for 10 years before joining Rajah & Tann LLP. There, he rose to regional head of dispute resolution, contributing significantly to the development of an international legal practice. He was appointed senior counsel in 2009.

Xavier served as chairman of the Singapore branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and later as global president of the institution. He also held the presidency of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association. He is general editor of two major legal publications on civil litigation and arbitration in Singapore. He also serves as chairman of the Listings Appeals Committee of the Singapore Stock Exchange and the Inquiry Panel of the Law Society of Singapore. Recognised for his litigation expertise, Xavier was named a leading disputes lawyer by Chambers Asia Pacific in 2020. He was further honoured as one of Asia’s Top 15 Litigators by Asian Legal Business in 2021 and received the Aviation Lawyer of the Year award from Global Awards in 2020. In 2014, he was awarded the Public Service Medal by the government, in recognition of his contributions to public service.

For more information
Chambers and Partners. “Francis Xavier SC”. Accessed 1 August 2025. https://chambers.com/lawyer/francis-xavier-sc-asia-pacific-8:531538
Maxwell Chambers. “#10QuestionswithMaxwell Interview Series: Francis Xavier SC, Rajah & Tann Singapore”. Accessed 1 August 2025. https://www.maxwellchambers.com/2023/04/10/10questionswithmaxwell-interview-series-francis-xavier-sc-rajah-tann-singapore/
Asian Legal Business. “In Conversation With Francis Xavier SC - One of ALB’s Top 15 Litigators in Asia (Brought To You By Rajah & Tann),” 10 February 2021. https://www.legalbusinessonline.com/conversation-francis-xavier-sc-–one-alb’s-top-15-litigators-asia-brought-you-rajah-tann
Rajah & Tann Singapore. “Francis Xavier, SC”. Accessed 1 August 2025. https://sg.rajahtannasia.com/partners/francis-xavier/

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.