‘Giles Reid is a leading junior and always near the top of the list of junior counsel in contentious property matters.’ (Chambers and Partners 2026, Real Estate Litigation, Band 1)
‘Giles is a super brain. He is pragmatic and a real asset, particularly when working as part of a team.’ (Legal 500 2026, Commercial Disputes, Band 2)
‘A fiercely intelligent advocate, with a client-friendly manner. He has a strong presence in the court.’ (Legal 500 2026, Property, Planning and Construction, Band 2)
Giles is a leading senior junior, practising in commercial, property and public law. He is regularly instructed as sole counsel or as part of a team in large, complex and high-value cases.
He has particular expertise in prescription and limitation, developed through his role as research assistant for the second edition of Johnston, Prescription and Limitation (2012). He regularly advises and appears in cases where these issues arise, and has delivered specialist training in this area. Giles previously tutored in property law, trusts and succession at the University of Edinburgh.
He also has experience in disputes arising from employment contracts, including restrictive covenants and the protection of confidential information. He has acted in substantial group litigation and is instructed on behalf of claimants in the Pan NOx vehicle emissions actions.
Giles is a Standing Junior to the Advocate General for Scotland and regularly appears on behalf of the UK Government in public law matters. He is frequently instructed by HMRC in contentious tax and insolvency cases.
Giles is ranked in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for commercial and property litigation.
A selection of recent cases is set out below.
Pan NOx vehicle emissions litigation. Instructed for the group members in very large scale group action against manufacturers arising in relation to ‘Dieselgate’ emissions claims. Appearance at numerous hearings including [2025] CSOH 93, [2025] CSOH 94, [2025] CSOH 18.
HMRC v Petrofac Facilities Management Ltd [2026] CSOH 29. Challenge to company voluntary arrangement in respect of £151m tax debt. Junior counsel to Susan Ower KC.
Forthwell Limited v Pontegadea UK Ltd [2024] CSOH 59 and [2024] CSIH 38. Leading authority on recoverability of a third party’s losses in an action for breach of contract. Currently under appeal to the UK Supreme Court. Junior counsel to Roddy Dunlop KC.
Kidd v Lime Rock Capital [2024] CSOH 28 and [2025] CSIH 11. Instructed in action for damages in excess of $150m in respect of alleged fraud in relation to the sale of an oil services company and in subsequent appeal to the Inner House. With Andrew Smith KC and Ross Anderson.
Centenary 6 v TLT LLP [2024] CSIH 13. Instructed for the pursuer in four-day appeal arising from professional negligence in conduct of an action against liquidators of a company. Junior counsel to Andrew Smith KC.
David Booth v Daniel Donald [2024] SC ABE 26 and [2024] SAC (Civ) 49 . Acting for the pursuer at proof and on appeal in action concerning agreement to discharge a security for £1.15m over a property development. Currently under appeal to the Inner House.
Colquhoun v Clinical Research Solutions [2022] CSOH 96. Commercial action concerning prescription of obligation to pay earn out consideration in a share purchase agreement. Junior counsel to Roddy Dunlop KC.
Mast Group v Chalmers [2022] CSOH 43. Sole counsel for pursuer in proof concerning contractual bonus entitlement.
Loudon v Stewart Milne Group [2021] CSOH 61 and [2022] CSIH 3. Dispute concerning the contractual bonus entitlement of a senior employee. Junior counsel to Kenny McBrearty KC (at first instance) and Roddy Dunlop KC (on appeal).
Crimond Estates v Mile End Developments [2021] CSOH 26 and [2021] CSIH 60. Action for breach of contract concerning right to remuneration under a project management agreement. Junior counsel to Craig Sandison QC (at first instance) and David Johnston KC (on appeal).
Incremental Group v HiETA Technologies [2021] CSOH 13. Sole counsel for pursuer in Commercial Court proof concerning IT contract for provision of an ERP solution.
Agilisys Limited v CGI IT UK Limited [2018] CSOH 26 and [2018] CSOH 112. Junior counsel in complex 19-day Commercial Court proof concerning an IT subcontract. With Craig Sandison QC.
Forthwell Limited v Pontegadea UK Ltd [2024] CSOH 59 and [2024] CSIH 38. Leading authority on recoverability of a third party’s losses in an action for damages in relation to a lease of commercial premises. Currently under appeal to the UK Supreme Court. Junior counsel to Roddy Dunlop KC.
Pirnie v Rarity [2026] CSIH 1. Sole counsel for respondent in appeal from Lands Tribunal to the Inner House concerning rectification of the Land Register.
Glasgow City Council v Stringfellow [2026] CSOH 19. Action for recovery of heritable property. One of the first Scottish decisions to consider the effect of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 on private law right to possession. Junior counsel to Paul Reid KC.
David Booth v Daniel Donald [2024] SC ABE 26 and [2024] SAC (Civ) 49 . Acting for the pursuer at proof and on appeal in action concerning agreement to discharge a security for £1.15m over a property development. Currently under appeal to the Inner House
Arbitration concerning private law rights arising under a s 75 Agreement [2024]. Junior counsel to Lord Davidson of Glen Clova KC.
Urquhart v Rhind 2025 SLT (Sh Ct) 81. Proof concerning existence of inherent right of access to landlocked property.
Scottish Ministers v Keeper of the Registers of Scotland [2024] LTS 19. Appeal in connection with rectification of the Land Register.
Logan v Irons [2023] SAC (Civ) 9. Leading authority on extinction of servitudes by confusion.
Mellish v Boyd LTS/LR/2018/008. Represented applicants in Lands Tribunal hearing concerning rectification of the Land Register.
Soulsby v Jones [2020] CSOH 103 and [2021] CSOH 48. Represented pursuer at proof and on appeal in leading authority on servitudes of necessity. Junior counsel to Craig Sandison QC (at first instance) and Gavin MacColl KC (on appeal).
Advice and representation for various UK government departments and agencies in capacity as Standing Junior to the Advocate General for Scotland.
Glasgow City Council v Stringfellow [2026] CSOH 19. Action for recovery of heritable property. One of the first Scottish decisions to consider the effect of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 on private law right to possession. Junior counsel to Paul Reid KC.
Instructed by HMRC (with Adam Tolley KC) in major ongoing litigation concerning the ‘host employer provision’ and liability for historic National Insurance contributions in the offshore industry: Bilfinger Salamis UK Limited v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 00736 (TC) and [2026] UKUT 00143 (TCC); Odfjell Technology (UK) Limited v HMRC [2025] UKFTT 28 (TC); Wood Group Engineering (North Sea) v HMRC [2025] UKFTT 1607 (TC).
People Services Solution v HMRC [2023] UKFTT 786 (TC). VAT appeal concerning allegations of fraudulent use of VAT registration. Judgment awaited following three-week hearing.
Instructed by HMRC (with Adam Tolley KC) in major ongoing litigation concerning the ‘host employer provision’ and liability for historic National Insurance contributions in the offshore industry: Bilfinger Salamis UK Limited v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 00736 (TC) and [2026] UKUT 00143 (TCC); Odfjell Technology (UK) Limited v HMRC [2025] UKFTT 28 (TC); Wood Group Engineering (North Sea) v HMRC [2025] UKFTT 1607 (TC).
People Services Solution v HMRC [2023] UKFTT 786 (TC). VAT appeal concerning allegations of fraudulent use of VAT registration. Judgment awaited following three-week hearing.
HMRC v Petrofac Facilities Management Ltd [2026] CSOH 29. Challenge to company voluntary arrangement in respect of £151m tax debt. Junior counsel to Susan Ower KC.
Instructed for HMRC in challenge to Chapter 26A restructuring scheme (with Susan Ower KC and Rachel Breen).
Peart v Promontoria (Henrico) Limited [2018] CSIH 35. Leading Inner House authority on interdict against proceeding to apply for sequestration following expiry of a charge for payment. Junior counsel to Gavin Walker KC.
Contact our clerks
Normal business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
ampersandclerks@advocates.org.uk
+44 (0)131 260 5674 (9am to 5pm)
Temporary closure of Advocates’ Clerks Room
Due to a refurbishment of the office between 23rd April and 15th May 2026, the clerks are hotdesking in other areas of Parliament House when in the office. Please re-direct any deliveries to Faculty Reception during this time.
Alan Moffat
Advocates' Clerk
Sheena Hume
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Kathryn Ferguson
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Bonnie McCracken
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
Kayley Mason
Deputy Advocates' Clerk
University of Edinburgh: LLB (2011) (distinction), Dip LP (2012). Miller and CCH Editions Prizes for revenue Law; James Craig Howie Memorial Prize for performance in private law subjects.
Harvard University: Joseph Hodges Choate Memorial Fellow (2007-8).
University of Cambridge: BA (Hons) (2007) (first class), MPhil (distinction) (2009).
Trustee, Clark Foundation for Legal Education (2024-present)
Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland (2021-present)
Reporter, Session Cases (2017-present)
Curator of the Advocates Library (2021-2024)
Appointed to junior panel of Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland (2019-20)
Tutor: property law and trusts and succession, University of Edinburgh (2011-2021)
Devil, Faculty of Advocates (2014-15). Devilmasters: Jonathan Barne QC and Ronnie Renucci QC.
Traineeship, Brodies LLP (2012-14).
Court of Session, Sheriff Appeal Court, Sheriff Court, Upper Tribunal, First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber), First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber), Lands Tribunal, Employment Tribunal, arbitration, mediation.