Jinyue (Paul) Young has been suspended by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal for two-and-a-half years.
The two charges against Mr Young were for negligence or incompetence, and for “attempts to dissuade his former client pursuing the complaint”.
The Tribunal noted that the first charge arose because he took instructions from a Chinese client concerning family law litigation, for which he had no relevant experience.
The decision notes that Mr Young “kept no proper file, his advice was incompetent, his drafting of documents inadequate, his representation of his client in court was woeful.” Further, the Tribunal considered that Mr Young “lacks attributes necessary for him to be assessed as a fit and proper person to practice, even as an employee”.
Despite the Standards Committee’s argument that Mr Young should be struck off, the Tribunal imposed the lengthy term of suspension instead.
Firstly, it stated that on the basis of one file, it would be harsh to find that no lesser penalty would protect the public; secondly, it considered that it was obliged to restrict the penalty to the necessary minimum; and thirdly, it wished to preserve the harshest possible penalty to cases where the gravity of particulars of the charge, or the accumulation of disciplinary failings, demonstrated that the most severe penalty must be applied.
Mr Young was also ordered to pay costs of $43,647.
The maximum length of suspension available to the Tribunal is three years.
[adrotate banner=”105″]
- Why International Law Firms Can’t Resist Australia’s Legal Market
Australia’s legal market continues to attract heavyweight international players despite several high-profile exits, with industry insiders predicting a fresh wave of global firms eyeing the lucrative Asia-Pacific gateway. The latest arrival, US powerhouse King & Spalding, launched its Sydney office in October with ambitions to capture transactional, regulatory and litigation work from Australian and multinational clients operating across the region. The move signals renewed confidence in a market that has proven both profitable and challenging for offshore entrants. Market Dynamics Shift The Australian legal scene has seen sustained international interest over the past 15 years, driven by the country’s strategic position as a launchpad . . Login in to the read the article - Big Law’s Capital Squeeze Sees Partners Pay Up, Firms Power On
The legal profession has always had a peculiar relationship with money. Partners, after all, are supposed to be owners of their firms, yet increasingly, they’re being asked to prove their commitment with their wallets. Welcome to the world of capital contributions, where making equity partner isn’t just about your billable hours anymore. It’s about how much cash you can pony up to join the club. Here’s the thing about Big Law’s approach to partner capital: there isn’t one. Survey data from about 80 Am Law 200 firms reveals a system that’s, to put it charitably, all over the shop. Log in to read more . . . - 15 legal tech leaders shaping AI for law in 2026
The 15 legal tech leaders, 10 of whom are highlighted in our LawFuel legaltech leaders list here. - Billing Beyond Reality – When Legal Aid Meets Fantasy Maths
Samina Ahmed, a Manchester-based solicitor, has been struck off after a Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal found she flagrantly falsified her timesheets in… Read more: Billing Beyond Reality – When Legal Aid Meets Fantasy Maths - Who are the Top Law Tech Innovators in 2026?
Law technology developments are set to continue their rapid growth in 2026, driven in part by a small group of executives, partners and technologists inside both law firms and specialist vendors who are now setting the agenda for this year and beyond. Many of these leaders hold newly created roles such as chief innovation officer or chief AI officer and are charged with turning generative AI, data and automation into measurable results for clients and the business. Authority publications and industry reports on 2025’s top AI and legal tech stories show that generative AI, unified cloud platforms and AI governance will dominate 2026 planning for both firms and in house teams. Log in to see the legal tech leaders . . .
