Johannes Duminy

Johannes Duminy started his legal career in South Africa in 1999 before qualifying as a solicitor in England in 2009.

Johannes has over 13 years’ experience in both litigation and non-contentious commercial matters.

Johannes’ litigation experience includes matrimonial work, professional negligence claims, construction claims, financial services claims, property disputes, shareholders and partnership disputes, LIBOR claims, mortgage mis-selling and defending freedom of speech in the context of defending defamation claims brought by corporations against individuals.

Johannes has litigated in forums such as the High Court, County Court, Small Claims Court, First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), European Small Claims Court and various Ombudsman forums including the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Legal Ombudsman.

Johannes also represented clients successfully in mediation and construction adjudication.

On the non-contentious side, Johannes’ experience includes drafting wills, applying for dealing with probate, registration of Lasting Powers of attorney and negotiating various commercial agreements and conducting company share sales and purchases.

Johannes has a very good understanding of the legal challenges faced by small or medium size businesses in the UK and across the world and he is committed to walking a road with his clients, no matter how big or small they are. Johannes believes that legal advice should not only be robust but also commercially viable and must make commercial sense.

In his own words:

‘’I am a big believer in looking at alternative ways to settle commercial disputes, whether through mediation, adjudication, ombudsman schemes or round table talks. I find that if you pick the correct forum and plan around this from the start you give yourself the best possible chance to reach an amicable settlement that also make commercial sense from a financial perspective.’’

Most notable recent dispute resolution cases

• Defending a claim for defamation brought by a corporation against a consumer following social media posts.

• Defending claim for trespass based on unfair eviction from commercial premises.

• Defending claim for breach of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement.

• Defending a claim for misuse of confidential information.

• Bringing a claim against a former director for breach of fiduciary duties as director.

• Defending a Petition under sections 994 to 996 of the Companies Act 2006 (Shareholders dispute).

• Bringing a claim for professional negligence against a solicitor.

• Breach of commercial contract claims.

• Helping clients with Financial Ombudsman Complaints against a high street bank for mortgage mis-selling which resulted in several circa € 1 Million mortgages being written off.

• Advising Clients on Financial Ombudsman complaints and Financial Services Compensation Scheme applications for compensation.

• Financial Ombudsman Services complaint against PI Insurer’s avoidance of policy under the Third Parties Rights (Rights Against Insurers) Act.

• Professional Negligence claims against IFA firm for negligent mortgage,

investment and Spanish and UK IHT tax mitigation advice which resulted in large losses.

• Advising a client on potential complaints against his IFA and his SIPP provider for negligent pension advice and breach of contract for losses suffered in his pension.

• Acting for Petitioners and Respondents in Divorce and Ancillary Relief Proceedings.