Penelope Giles

Penelope Giles is a highly accomplished Senior Counsel with extensive experience in trial advocacy. Having dedicated 11 years to litigation as a solicitor and practising at the Independent Bar since 1998, she has developed a formidable reputation in family law, particularly in cases involving parental alienation, international surrogacy arrangements, and complex property and financial disputes. Her expertise encompasses intricate asset protection involving large trusts, superannuation, and de facto claims. Penelope's contributions to family law are notable, with numerous presentations and papers on evidence and parental alienation. As a member of the Senior Members' Panel of the Family Law Practitioners Association of WA, she offers confidential advice and mentorship, reflecting her commitment to the legal community. Her interest in the intersection of law and medicine has led her to engage in significant medical disciplinary cases at the State Administrative Tribunal and the Supreme Court. Her distinguished career includes roles as a Commissioner of the District Court, President of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal, and a legal member of the Medical Board. An active figure in professional and community affairs, she mentors rising legal professionals and has lectured in industrial law at the University of Western Australia and provided tutorials in evidence at leading law schools. Penelope has argued cases in a range of judicial and administrative fora, managing complex litigation as both a solicitor and barrister. Her appointment as Senior Counsel in 2020 highlights her continued focus on family law, while also handling inquests and disciplinary matters. She has a noted history in anti-discrimination law, representing high-profile harassment and discrimination cases, including a landmark sex discrimination class action and cases concerning disability discrimination in education. As a former Head of Murray Chambers, Penelope led a team of senior barristers from 2021 to 2024. Her current academic role as Adjunct Clinical Professor at Curtin University Law School underscores her ongoing influence in legal education.