Sydney lawyer Yianni Van Gelder charged with domestic violence offences

Lawyer Yianni Van Gelder was arrested in March and charged with a string of domestic violence offences related to alleged incidents involving a woman in 2019, 2023 and 2024.

A Sydney lawyer has been charged with a string of domestic violence offences, after allegedly assaulting a woman on three separate occasions.

Yianni Van Gelder is facing two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault and a charge of choking, which relate to incidents at Rose Bay and Strathfield in 2019, 2023 and 2024.

The lawyer, who specialises in commercial, employment and defamation law at Sydney firm Blackbay Lawyers, has indicated he will be fighting the charges against him.

Van Gelder was arrested on March 20, and was granted bail on the conditions he not enter any international airport, stay away from the woman and agree not contact her.

A temporary AVO was also taken out on behalf of the woman.

Yianni Van Gelder. Picture: Supplied

Van Gelder appeared at Waverley Local Court this week, where his lawyer told the court the NSW Law Society had “received a notice to suspend” Van Gelder’s practising certificate.

When contacted by The Sunday Telegraph, a spokesperson for Blackbay Lawyers said: “We are informed that the charges are denied, and are being defended.

“They are presently untested allegations, in relation to which Mr Van Gelder is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”

Van Gelder’s lawyer indicated his client would be fighting the allegations, and asked the court for a hearing date to be set.

According to Van Gelder’s professional profile, he is: “dedicated to shielding his clients’ interests and empowering them to navigate their legal challenges with confidence and assurance.”

He will return to court on June 5.

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