CTV inquiries continue despite court action

9:44 pm on 30 July 2013

The professional body for structural engineers is continuing to investigate an engineer whose company designed Christchurch's CTV building despite his attempts to stop this.

Alan Reay is taking the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand to the High Court, claiming it lacks the jurisdiction to look into his work on the building which collapsed during the February 2011 earthquake, killing 115 people and injuring many others.

Since 2012, the Institution of Professional Engineers has been looking into Dr Reay's engineering activities from 1986 to 1991 when the CTV building was designed.

A complaint was made by a relative of one of the people killed and is supported by 54 others, many of whom lost friends or relatives in the February quake.

A spokesperson for the institute said Dr Reay has filed papers with the Christchurch High Court, contending that it lacks jurisdiction to investigate any aspects of the complaints that pre-date December 2002 when its rules were replaced.

The institution's deputy chief executive, Nicki Crauford, said on Tuesday that Dr Reay asked for all three of its investigations to be suspended pending the outcome of the court case.

Ms Crauford said it was felt it wouldn't be appropriate to do this and the investigations would continue. She said the findings have yet to be handed to the disciplinary committee.

Maan Alkaisi, whose wife died in the collapse, says Alan Reay fears the outcome of the institution's investigation. He said the court action is designed to hold it and allow him to continue working as a registered engineer.

Dr Reay's lawyer Willie Palmer said he could not comment as the matter is before the court.