Gerard van Tonder was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1990 and has over the years gained considerable experience of advocacy at all levels and in all aspects of Chancery practice. His practice has in recent years become more concentrated on property matters and includes the following: 

Property

• landlord and tenant (business and residential premises);
• leasehold enfranchisement;
• title disputes, including adverse possession;
• easements;
• disputes concerning contracts for the sale of land;
• compulsory purchase;
• overage agreements.

Gerard prides himself on his ability to provide clear and effective advice and representation.  Gerard was first called to the Bar in South Africa and practised in Johannesburg for several years where he built up an established practice before moving to the UK.  Gerard also has wide experience in other aspects of general Chancery practice and is especially effective in cases where a case requires knowledge and experience of more than one practice area.  His other experience includes:

Insolvency

• administrations;
• liquidations;
• bankruptcy proceedings;
• claims based on alleged sales at an undervalue;
• retention of title disputes in the insolvency context.

Commercial and company matters

• shareholder disputes;
• reduction of capital applications;
• claims against directors;
• claims arising from share agreements, including breach of warranty claims;
• interim relief based on allegation based on unlawful competition.

Professional Negligence

• claims against solicitors, surveyors and accountants including those concerning property transactions and share sale agreements.

Partnership

• disputes between partners in solicitors firms, accountants, pharmacists and trading partnership, including dissolutions. 

Trusts

• disputes in the context of co-ownership of land;
• disputes regarding the existence and terms of remedial trusts.

He is also regularly instructed to appear at regulatory and disciplinary hearings. 

Gerard also has a distinct specialism in costs matters and is regularly instructed as specialist counsel in such matters.  He is a member of the Bar Council's panel of barristers who sit as assessors in the High Court.