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, having advised on complex public law, contract, insurance and construction disputes.

Diana began her career in a large national law firm in Wellington, after which she spent a few years working in a Christchurch law firm.  Before joining LCC, Diana worked in a corporate international law firm in London.  As part of her work there, Diana was recognised as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific Rankings 2025. 

Recent and notable work:

Public law and Judicial review:

  • Part of LCC’s team opposing an application for judicial review of an extradition decision made by the Minister of Justice.

  • Part of LCC’s team acting for the Department of Corrections in a judicial review arising out of a prison misconduct proceding and involving allegations of breach of natural justice.

  • 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.

  • Part of LCC’s team assisting an independent reviewer in relation to a review of allegations of misuse of public funds.

  • Providing advice to the Department of Corrections in relation to allegations of privacy breaches, prisoner assault claims and questions of sentencing calculations.

Disciplinary work:

  • Acting for the Midwifery Council in a disciplinary proceeding involving allegations of self-prescribing.

Commercial Disputes:

  • Representing a Japanese contractor in claims made in the Singapore International Arbitration Centre arising out of two railway infrastructure refurbishment projects in Myanmar.  Issues in dispute involved claims of variations, delay, acceleration and force majeure. 

  • Representing a Luxembourg-based funder in relation to defective mechanical, electric and fire-safety systems in a 9-storey hotel development in central London.

  • Junior counsel 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.

  • Junior counsel in a commercial arbitration acting for a national New Zealand construction company in a multi-million dollar dispute involving five apartment buildings in Flat Bush, Auckland.

  • Successfully acting for a Building Services firm in an adjudication under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 in relation to unpaid amounts and defending allegations of substandard work.

Insurance:

  • Advising private individuals and businesses on the response of relevant insurance policies including Geneal Liability, Property Damage and Professional Indemnity and acting for them in coverage disputes.