#10QuestionswithMaxwell Interview Series: Francis Xavier SC, Rajah & Tann Singapore

Interviews

#10QuestionswithMaxwell Interview Series: Francis Xavier SC, Rajah & Tann Singapore

In this #10QuestionsWithMaxwell interview, we feature Francis Xavier SC, Regional Head of Disputes Group, Rajah & Tann Singapore.

Francis practises cross-border commercial litigation and international and treaty arbitration. A veteran in the field, Francis has 33 years of legal practice and has a track record of being involved in novel and unprecedented cases. He has appeared before the SICC on numerous occasions (at both trial and appellate levels) and was in fact involved in the very first case heard before the SICC. 

Francis is recognised as a leading disputes lawyer – Asia Law Profiles (2017-2022); Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2014-2019, 2021, 2022); Ranked Lawyers Chambers Global (2016-2022); Dispute Resolution Chambers Asia-Pacific (2016-2022); Best Lawyer in Litigation Practice, Best Lawyers International (2015-2020); Global Arbitration Review (2010); Best Litigation Lawyers in Singapore (2013); Asia Law Leading Lawyers (2009). He was recently named as one of Asia’s Top 15 Litigators by Asian Legal Business (2021). 

He is a Chartered Arbitrator and also a Past Chairman of the Singapore branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. 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). 

In this interview, he shared one thing he would change about the arbitral system, highlights throughout his legal career, 3 fun facts about himself, and more.

Read his full interview below:

Q: How did you set foot in international arbitration?

After the birth of SIAC in 1991, arbitration took a firm hold in Singapore. It was ‘the next big thing’.

Q: Since you began your career, what has been the biggest change you have seen in relation to the way arbitration proceedings are conducted?

In the early days, arbitration was the preserve of a relatively small coterie of lawyers. Today, this is no longer the case. The participants are widely diverse. This has given rise to highly differing approaches to arbitration practice and procedure. 

Q: If you could change one thing about the arbitral system, what would it be?

To institute procedural safeguards to prevent the occasional abuse of the party-nominated arbitrator mechanism.

 Q: Share with us some highlights throughout your legal career.

The main highlight would be the great number of good friends and colleagues that one has had an opportunity to cultivate, all across the globe.

Q: You were a Mentor on our Maxwell Mentorship Programme, what is one piece of invaluable advice you would give to our group of Mentees or other younger legal practitioners in entering the alternative dispute resolution field?

Believe in yourself and keep pushing the envelope of your skills and expertise. Success will eventually arrive at your door.

Q: What do you think will be the greatest opportunity the next generation of ADR practitioners can expect?

The world is becoming ever more reliant on ADR. In such an environment, international arbitration and mediation will continue to thrive and become ubiquitous.

Q: On the contrary, what is one opportunity you see in the ADR landscape in the upcoming years?

The rise of mediation – either by itself or in its hybrid forms – will get ever more widespread. Get trained and accredited!

Q: To get to know you more on a personal level, share with us 3 fun facts about yourself.

a. Involved in the conservation of 130 million year old rainforests in peninsular Malaysia.

b. Enhancing metabolic output is a curiosity.

c. A dangerous addiction to erupting volcanoes.

Q: What is one thing that you have always wanted to do but have not had a chance to accomplish yet?

Visit at least 90% of the countries on this blue planet – before I breathe my last.

Q: Lastly, describe Maxwell Chambers in 3 words.

Well-resourced. Supportive. Dynamic.

Share

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp

Cassandra Anthonisz

Deputy Manager of Legal & Business Service

Cassandra Gayle Anthonisz is the Deputy Manager of Legal and Business Services at Maxwell Chambers. Her multifaceted experience spans across legal, business development, and communications sectors, offering a distinctive combination of legal acumen, strategic insight, and cross-sector versatility.

Her professional background encompasses legal affairs, compliance, business development, and legal technology. She has held in-house positions across sectors, where she gained extensive experience navigating complex legal and regulatory environments. Her experience spans the implementation of strategic legal frameworks in sectors such as maritime, commodities, and fintech, with a focus on client-facing legal operations; contractual negotiations; contentious and non-contentious work.

Prior to joining Maxwell Chambers, Cassandra led legal technology start-ups through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. In these capacities, she integrated legal innovation with corporate strategy, while spearheading business development initiatives and cross-border legal solutions.

Cassandra has a passion for advancing access to justice and to promoting forward-thinking and progressive business-aligned legal practices. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom, and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM).

Ban Jiun Ean

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Ban Jiun Ean read law at the National University of Singapore before joining the Ministry of Law. He spent nine years doing legal policy work, with a focus on the development of Singapore’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) industry. 

Jiun Ean spearheaded the development of the world’s first integrated dispute resolution centre, Maxwell Chambers, which brought together arbitral institutions, service providers and legal practitioners under the same roof in a facility equipped with bespoke dispute resolution rooms and state-of-the-art supporting technology. In 2010, he was appointed Chief Executive of Maxwell Chambers, helming the company for five years and establishing it as the foremost dispute resolution centre of its kind in the world. In 2016, he left Maxwell to pursue several other projects, including the development of an arts centre and to write several novels. In 2019, Jiun Ean was appointed as the Executive Director of Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC), working to strengthen the mediation industry in Singapore and globally. 

Jiun Ean returns to Maxwell Chambers as Chief Executive, to augment the team as it continues to build on Maxwell’s position as the premier ADR facility in the world.

Download: Virtual and Hybrid Hearing Checklist

Error: Contact form not found.

i. Video Conferencing Platform
Hybrid-ready Rooms
iv.Transcription
Real Time Transcription
vi.Intepretation and Translation
Interpretation and Translation
vii.ADR Support Services
ADR Support Services
v.Evidence Presentation
Evidence Presentation
iii. Case Management Platform
Case Management Platform
service-icon-4
High-speed wireless internet access
service-icon-8
Individually Secured Rooms
ii. Dedicated Virtual Hearing Moderator
Virtual Hearing Moderator and AV/IT Support
service-icon-6
Business Centre
service-icon-5
Catering
service-icon-7
Exclusive lounge access for arbitrators