Stephen Giles is partner with global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, where he specialises in franchising law, strategy and practice.  He has been recently described in Chambers Legal Guide as the authority on franchise law in Australia.  He is one of Australia’s most experienced commercial lawyers, with over 40 years of experience in private practice, including 36 years at partner level.

Stephen is particularly well known for his work with over 200 franchise networks, where he supplements his legal advice with strategic input and industry knowledge. He has served for over 20 years on the board of the Franchise Council of Australia, handling industry regulation and government relations and serving five terms as national chairman. 

Stephen has written numerous publications on franchising and competition and consumer law, including the authoritative Lexis Nexis texts Franchising Law & Practice, and The Annotated Franchising Code of Conduct as well as FCA publications The Franchisor’s Manual and The Franchisee’s Guide. In 2009 he was inducted into the Australian Franchising Hall of Fame, and in 2023 was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to small business.