Ian van der Merwe

Christiaan Hendrik Gert van der Merwe (born 29 July 1954) is a South African judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Before his elevation to that court, he served in the Free State High Court from August 2003 to June 2016. He began his career as a public prosecutor and practised in the Free State as an advocate between 1981 and 2003, gaining silk status in 1994.

Early life and education Van der Merwe was born on 29 July 1954 in Frankfort in the former Orange Free State (now the Free State). His home language was Afrikaans. He matriculated at Grey College in Bloemfontein in 1972 and went on to the University of the Free State, where he completed a BJuris in 1976; he then completed an LLB at the University of South Africa in 1978. but his interview was unsuccessful. He had been nominated to the shortlist by the law faculty and dean of his alma mater, the University of the Free State, and his application emphasised his commercial law expertise.

Nonetheless, the Judicial Service Commission recommended van der Merwe for appointment, which was later confirmed by President Jacob Zuma. He joined the bench on 1 July 2016 alongside Connie Mocumie. He was the first Afrikaner to join the court since the retirement of Justice Fritz Brand. During his tenure, the council adopted a new language policy, which included a commitment to multilingualism as well as to English as the primary medium of instruction.

He is married to Tronel van der Merwe and has three children.