About Stuart Miles
Stuart is a confident and innovative solicitor with six years of experience in property litigation. After qualification in 2013, Stuart worked for a fast-growing property litigation firm, acting on a range of residential and commercial disputes before joining Hodge Jones & Allen in 2018.
Stuart takes time and care to understand the broader context of the legal challenges, before giving thorough, measured advice.
His practice to date has seen him analyse complex titles, unregistered titles and insolvency positions and interpret how these impact upon property ownership.
Additionally, Stuart has acted on large scale major works programmes, including dispensation applications in the Tribunal and interim possession orders against squatters. Stuart has also provided advice on options such as the appointment of a manager, enfranchisement and the Right to Manage process.
Stuart has a detailed understanding of the implications of applications brought under section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 to discharge or modify restrictive covenants.
Stuart has considerable understanding of the legal implications in management of property developments of all sizes, ranging from small share of freehold conversions, to extensive developments that contain multiple blocks of mixed commercial and residential use. Such disputes include service charge arrears, ground rent reviews, subletting and structural alterations.
Stuart’s experience of dealing with defended commercial and residential forfeiture claims is particularly strong, having carried out defended proceedings on a full range of intriguing defences, including; estoppel, waiving the right to forfeit, validity of demands and engagement of rent suspension clauses. Naturally this has enabled him to hone his skills in processing relief from forfeiture applications. Stuart has dealt with applications for relief that have concerned severely dilapidated premises and has extensive experience of instructing Surveyors to achieve the desired outcome for landlord or tenant in this context.
Whilst settlement is always a core objective, I appreciate that it may not always be possible to achieve. During my career to date, I have acquired experience in leading proceedings in the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) & Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).
Career & Personal Interests
Career
- Solicitor, Hodge Jones & Allen, 2018
- Solicitor, JB Leitch Ltd 2011 – 2018 (admitted as a Solicitor in 2013)
- Paralegal, Drydens Fairfax Solicitors, 2010 – 2011
Education
- Legal Practice Course, College of Law York, 2009
- L.L.B Law, University of Lancaster, 2008
Personal interests
Stuart is passionate about sport; and enjoys watching rugby, football, cricket and boxing. Stuart likes to travel and is always researching his next adventure.