a non - aqueous electrolyte secondary cell that has high capacity and excellent cycle characteristic while preventing cell swelling is provided . the positive electrode of the cell has , as the positive electrode active material , lithium nickel composite oxide represented by li x ni 1 - y m y o z where 0 . 9 & lt ; x ≦ 1 . 1 , 0 ≦ y ≦ 0 . 7 , 1 . 9 ≦ z ≦ 2 . 1 , and m contains at least one selected from al , co , and mn . the amount of lithium carbonate on the surface of the lithium nickel composite oxide is 0 . 20 mass % or less relative to the lithium nickel composite oxide . on the surface of the positive electrode , a porous layer having inorganic oxide and lithium carbonate is provided .