Francis Qi

Special Counsel
Melbourne

Biography

Francis Qi is a special counsel in our Disputes and Investigations group.

He has broad experience across complex commercial litigation, with particular expertise in Corporations Act disputes (including director liability and oppression claims), contractual claims, fraud recovery, property and funds management disputes and schemes of arrangement.

Francis is highly regarded for his strategic thinking, calm under pressure and depth of knowledge across trial and appellate jurisdictions. He has represented clients in matters before the Victorian Court of Appeal, the Full Federal Court and the High Court of Australia.

Francis holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Monash University and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb). He is fluent in Mandarin and regularly acts for clients in cross-border disputes.

Experience

  • Cargill in a $168.9 million judgment (plus interest) against Glencore, following Victoria’s largest and longest-running non-class action trial.

  • A multinational agricultural entity on legal options and recovery strategy following large-scale crop losses from defective seed supply.

  • A major Victorian property developer on debt restructuring and asset realisation across a property portfolio valued at approximately $800 million.

  • Yimiao Australia in one of Victoria’s largest cryptocurrency-related litigations, involving complex proprietary, tort and security interest issues.

  • Oz Minerals in relation to its scheme of arrangement merger with BHP, one of the largest transactions in the Australian mining sector.

  • A listed mining company in successfully defending an application to the Take Over Panel made by an external investor.

  • A state-owned enterprise of China in successfully recognising and registering a judgement made by a court of the People’s Republic of China in NSW Supreme Court.

  • An international car rental provider in a commercial dispute regarding the performance and installation of EV charging infrastructure.

  • Certain underwriting members of Lloyd’s in defending engineering professionals claims arising out of significant defective building works and structural damage.

  • The Department of Education in a Supreme Court proceeding concerning the entitlement to a significant testamentary bequest.

Awards and Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in Australia 2026

    Recognised in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Litigation

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