Giles conducts independent investigations, inquiries and reviews for employers, NHS bodies, regulators, public authorities and professional practices, and produces reports that can be relied on in the disciplinary, regulatory or legal proceedings that may follow. His experience as an advocate in employment and professional discipline means the investigation is conducted fairly and with those proceedings in mind: the right witnesses, the right questions, findings that are properly evidenced, and a report that will withstand scrutiny.

He also acts as legal assessor to the internal regulatory and misconduct panels of public bodies, including police forces, fire services and NHS organisations, and advises those bodies on the conduct of their own investigations and hearings.

Typical instructions

• workplace investigations into grievances, bullying and harassment complaints, whistleblowing disclosures and allegations of misconduct, including at board or partner level
• investigations under MHPS into the conduct or capability of doctors and dentists, and case-investigator work for NHS bodies
• inquiries and organisational reviews into culture, governance or a particular incident, with recommendations
• reviews of an employer's own investigation or disciplinary process before it is relied on
• legal assessor and adviser to misconduct, regulatory and appeal panels

Approach

Terms of reference are agreed at the outset, including scope, timescale, confidentiality and who will receive the report. Interviews are conducted with a note-taker and the evidence is tested against the documents. The report sets out the allegations, the evidence, the findings of fact and, where instructed, conclusions on whether a case to answer exists; it is written so that it can be disclosed in proceedings and stands on its own. Giles can also advise on the next steps once the report is delivered, subject to the usual rules on independence where he has acted as investigator

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