I’ve also now got control of the site and paid the relevant fees, so the site shouldn’t vanish again.

All being well, I’d hope to have the new writing team set up for 1 Oct 2026.

Thanks again for all your support and patience.

JBKC

The post An update appeared first on Nearly Legal: Housing Law News and Comment.

I wanted to update you all about the future of the blog. After discussions with Beth, the plan is that I’ll take control of the site and try and keep it going with the same detailed coverage that Giles provided. Given his super-human capacity for work, that’ll require a team of people.

So, if you’re a lawyer with an interest in housing law, and you think you’d have capacity/interest in helping with NL going forward, please can you contact me by email (jbates@ landmarkchambers. co. uk).

I’d like to have everything up and running again by October, but the precise time-table depends on when I manage to get all the relevant permissions etc from the hosting company and others.

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to ask about the blog, and particular thanks to Tessa Shepperson for her help in understanding what had gone wrong.

JBKC

The post Technical difficulties and plans for the future appeared first on Nearly Legal: Housing Law News and Comment.

https://www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-view 

Date & Time: Friday 22/05/2026 12:00

Please ignore “Order ID” and “Password Login”

Use the PIN number below to access the service

Login PIN.  594-3531

Webcast Viewing Instructions are available here

For those who have asked about charitable donations, the family ask that donations be made to Shelter.

JBKC

The post Live stream appeared first on Nearly Legal: Housing Law News and Comment.

https://www.crematorium.co.uk/

The wider housing law world is very welcome to join us in celebrating and mourning Giles.

JBKC

The post Funeral arrangements appeared first on Nearly Legal: Housing Law News and Comment.

Justin Bates KC

Anthony Gold Partner Giles Peaker sadly passes away

We are deeply sorry to announce that one of our Partners, Giles Peaker, passed away over the weekend of 18-19 April 2026. Our deepest condolences go to his family and friends at this most difficult of times.

Giles was a leading lawyer, renowned for his expertise in all aspects of housing law. He advised and represented leaseholders and tenants on build defects, fire safety issues, repossession, poor housing conditions and homelessness, dedicating his career to helping those most in need.

As well as his client work, Giles worked tirelessly to improve the rights of individuals to good housing. He played a major part in drafting the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, which provided a significant step forward in ensuring tenants have a right to healthy and safe housing.

Giles was also a regular commentator on housing law in the media and the founder and editor of ‘Nearly Legal’ – a specialist and much-loved housing law used by lawyers, judges, academics and members of the public alike.

Legal 500 described Giles as “an outstanding lawyer – dazzlingly clever, persistent, highly effective and cares deeply about his area of law”. Chambers and Partners said he was “fantastic” and “hugely knowledgeable and enthusiastic”.  But more important to Giles were the many glowing testimonials he received from his clients.

Giles’ colleagues knew him for his dry wit, immense knowledge and kindness, and as someone who was always willing to give his time to colleagues and to anyone who approached him with a problem.

He died following a short illness and is survived by his wife, Beth.

Andrew Brookes, the head of Anthony Gold’s housing department, said:

“Giles was an inspirational colleague who I worked with for 20 years.   His knowledge was legendary and his passion for housing law unmatched.  His Nearly Legal blog was both widely used and loved for its clarity, wit and breadth.  He was instrumental in drafting the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation Act).  He will be sorely missed by all of us at Anthony Gold and in the wider housing law world.”

The post Giles Peaker appeared first on Nearly Legal: Housing Law News and Comment.

Normal service, hopefully, will be resumed before very long.

NL

The post On pause for a bit. appeared first on Nearly Legal: Housing Law News and Comment.