"One of the most impressive housing solicitors working today" - Legal 500 2011.
Giles works in residential and commercial property dispute resolution.
He specialises in housing and public law, dealing with all kinds of housing disputes. He brings claims against landlords who have not carried out repairs, defends possession claims and challenges decisions in homelessness cases. Giles is particularly interested in claims for disrepair and judicial review in housing matters. He also advises clients on leasehold disputes concerning residential and commercial property.
Giles has achieved substantial settlements for clients, including a settlement agreement in mediation on a claim for disrepair and harassment that totalled £250,000. He regularly forces works to be carried out and obtains compensation payments of thousands of pounds for tenants suffering from lack of repairs by their landlord for problems like damp, water penetration, mould, cracking and fallen ceilings.
On behalf of leaseholders, Giles has successfully challenged service charges and major works charges that were unreasonably or improperly brought by landlords.
Giles had a successful career as a senior lecturer in the History of Art before returning to his early interest in the law. After taking his CPE at City University and completing his LPC at the College of Law, Giles trained with Anthony Gold and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.
In Chambers 2012 Giles is ranked as a "leading individual" in the field of social housing. He is described as "a very competent and knowledgeable chap" who provides expertise in a variety of housing cases. He was a finalist for Young Legal Aid Solicitor of the Year in the 2010 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards.
Giles is Chair of the Housing Law Practitioners' Association. He writes the regular housing law updates for Solicitors Journal and other articles. He is the founder and editor of the Nearly Legal Housing Law News and Comment site, which is now a leading site for housing law information and discussion.
