A Group III nitride compound semiconductor light-emitting element has a reflecting surface on a side opposite to a main light-emitting surface of the element viewed from a light-emitting layer. The reflecting surface is inclined to surfaces of growth of semiconductor layers. Light emitted from the light-emitting layer is reflected by the reflecting surface, so that the reflected light emerges from side surfaces of the light-emitting element to the outside without passing through the semiconductor layers (particularly, the light-emitting layer).