Diana Youssif-Hay
Associate | Kaiwawao
LLB (Hons) / BA Certificate of Journalism and Communications (Cum Laude)
Contact
dyh@lcc.co.nz
+64 27 291 6504
Diana has a strong background in civil and commercial litigation. She acts for clients in complex regulatory and public law proceedings. Prior to joining LCC, Diana’s work predominantly involved construction and insurance disputes in New Zealand and in London, across various dispute resolution mechanisms including court proceedings, mediations, arbitrations and adjudications. Diana was recognised as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific Rankings 2025.
Recent and notable work:
Regulatory and public law proceedings
Acting for the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in its successful application to liquidate six core companies within the Chance Voight Group, and its further application to liquidate twenty-five other entities in that Group or closely related to it (CIV-2025-409-753, CIV-2026-409-157, [2026] NZHC 2773, [2026] NZHC 2613 [2026] NZHC 2113); and in seeking asset preservation orders against the Group’s CEO and a related company (CIV-2025-409-754).
Acting for Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) in proceedings seeking civil pecuniary penalties in relation to breaches of the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (CIV-2025-404-1191, CIV-2025-405-1713).
Acting for and advising the Minister of Justice in judicial review proceedings brought by Mr Kim Dotcom in relation to his extradition ([2025] NZHC 2634; [2025] NZHC 3330; [2025] NZCA 636; [2026] NZCA 284).
Acting for the General Manager of Manawatū Prison and for the Department of Corrections in judicial reviews initiated by prisoners involving issues of natural justice and compliance with the Prison Operations Manual (POM) (CIV-2026-485-013; CIV-2024-485-272 respectively).
Acting for the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) in judicial review proceedings (CIV-2025-419-446).
Acting for Oranga Tamariki and Police in a claim for compensation by a member of the family of a deceased child under the Deaths by Accident Compensation Act 1952 and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (CIV-2021-481-557).
Acting for a large train operation company (TOC) in a judicial review claim brought by local authorities in respect of the proposed closure of ticket offices at UK train stations.
Commercial Disputes:
Acting for a lines company in a claim against a forestry manager to recover losses suffered from falling trees onto its power lines (CIV-2024-404-3214) and representing the company in a successful mediation.
Acting for a Japanese contractor in a Singapore-based arbitration in respect of a dispute arising out of the refurbishment of two train tracks in Myanmar, including issues of variations, delay and force majeure.
Acting for a national New Zealand construction company in an arbitration involving 75 apartments in Flat Bush, Auckland, including issues of contract termination, abandonment and variations.
Representing a Luxembourg-based funder in relation to defective mechanical, electric and fire-safety systems in a 9-storey hotel development in central London.
Acting for a national New Zealand construction company in multiple High Court proceedings arising out of the Canterbury Earthquakes and the insurer-managed repair programmes; achieving settlement of claims in judicial settlement conferences and at the Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal.
Successfully acting for a building services provider in an adjudication under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 in relation to unpaid amounts and defending allegations of substandard work.
Advising construction companies on the response of relevant insurance policies including General Liability, Property Damage and Professional Indemnity to claims brought against them, navigating contact with the insurer and acting for them in coverage disputes.
Disciplinary work:
Acting for the Midwifery Council and the Medical Council in disciplinary prosecutions against practitioners in respect of allegations of professional misconduct under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (Mid25/649P; Med25/647P respectively).