Austin Lange

Associate

03 379 3880 Email LinkedIn PA: Zoë White

Austin is an Associate in our litigation and disputes resolution team. He specialises in immigration law, with a focus on deportation, refugee, and human rights issues. He also assists with all complicated visa applications, including character and health waiver applications, reconsiderations, and Residence appeals. He often provides expert advice to the High Court and District Court regarding the consequences of conviction for an offender’s immigration status, and is a regular presenter at seminars and conferences on immigration topics.

In addition, Austin has experience acting for clients in the criminal courts and with general civil disputes.

Why our clients choose Austin: Our clients value Austin’s empathy and compassion when dealing with sensitive and stressful cases. He recognises the need for a collaborative, trusting relationship with his clients and works hard to foster this through good communication. He approaches each case with an open mind, meaning that all avenues for resolving an issue are explored.

Austin’s journey: Austin is originally from Christchurch. He completed a BA and LLB with first class honours in 2020 from the University of Canterbury. He studied French and political science alongside his law degree.

Austin joined Young Hunter in August 2020. He previously worked at two other Christchurch firms, gaining experience in private client and commercial settings. He was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in March 2021.

Austin’s values: Austin values the relationships he builds with his clients. Each client is more than just a legal problem which needs solving. Working in the immigration area, Austin enjoys learning more about our clients’ many and varied cultures and backgrounds. He values being able to assist clients to find their best outcome.

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Austin's expertise

Litigation and dispute resolution
Deportation and Human Rights
Refugee and protected persons
Criminal

Notable work

Refugee and protected persons appeals

BH (Russia) [2024] NZIPT 802274 (Refugee claim by Russian citizen based on fears of persecution by the state due to her anti-Putin views).
EG (Bangladesh) [2024] (Refugee claim by Bangladeshi claimant based on fears of being harmed by his extended family over an inheritance dispute).
AM (Ukraine) [2023] NZIPT 802249 (successful appeal under s129 of the Immigration Act with a focus on Article 1C).
BR (Zimbabwe) [2022] NZIPT 802055 (successful refugee appeal for our Zimbabwean client under Article 6, 7 and 9 of the ICCPR and Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture).
ME (India) [2022] NZIPT 801993-994 (successful refugee appeal for Indian clients under Article 27 of the ICCPR – the right to consent to a marriage of their choosing).
MF (India) [2022] NZIPT 802000 (successful refugee appeal for an Indian woman based on the risks associated with “honour killings”).

Deportation

BI (Russia) [2024] NZIPT 506144 (successful appeal following refugee claim by Russian claimant)
EK (Bangladesh) [2024] NZIPT 506062 (successful appeal following refugee claim by Bangladeshi claimant, focused on mental health and lack of family support network)
BO (United Kingdom) [2024] NZIPT 506109 (successful humanitarian appeal with respect to an elderly appellant with diagnosed mental health issues, who would face a risk of social isolation upon a return to her home country).
AB (Trinidad and Tobago) [2023] NZIPT 505762 (successful humanitarian appeal based on the best interests of the children with respect to the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild under Article 3 of the UNCRC).
PB (India) [2023] NZIPT 505947 (successful appeal against deportation based on detrimental effects of separation from family).
Brian Frank Taylor [2022] NZIPT 600712 (deportation appeal following conviction for failure to protect a vulnerable adult).
IG (Fiji) [2022] NZIPT 505634 (successful appeal against deportation following family violence offending).
Sukhraj Singh [2022] NZIPT 505658 (successful appeal against deportation for temporary visa holder which arose following second drink driving conviction – focus on appellant’s circumstances
HQ (Sri Lanka) [2022] NZIPT 505394 (successful humanitarian appeal following decline of a refugee appeal based on lack of mental health services in Sri Lanka)
MH (India) [2022] NZIPT 600683 (successful deportation appeal on a reactivation of deportation liability four years after the granting of a humanitarian appeal).

Criminal

Bolea v R [2024] NZSC 46 – (Successful Supreme Court appeal by Ms Bolea which confirmed that the Court can consider risk of deportation when determining a visa holder’s application for a discharge without conviction).
R v Thurlow [2024] NZDC 861 (Sentencing for unlawful sexual connection).
Mohit Nanda v New Zealand Police [2023] NZHC 415 (successful appeal against conviction – assault on a child under s194 of the Crimes Act 1961), with respect to immigration consequences (eligibility for sponsorship and threat of deportation).