A South Island psychologist facing professional misconduct charges before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, challenged its jurisdiction when his hearing opened today.
His challenge held up the hearing of charges that he made sexual advances to a patient's partner, until the five tribunal members decided it was appropriate to proceed.
The psychologist, who has name suppression, said he intended to complain to the Law Society over the conduct of lawyers from the professional conduct committee, who had investigated the complaint against him, and seek a judicial review.
He also felt the tribunal's composition of five women, including three clinical psychologists, a lawyer and a lay member, could mean he was not being judged by his peers.
He represented himself at the tribunal, which was told he called the patient's house following a missed appointment in April 2006 and spoke to the patient's partner, suggesting she visit him at his practice that day.
The complainant had previously refused to go when the psychologist suggested to her partner he take her along, but said the psychologist convinced her that day it would be helpful to her partner.
When she went to his office, the psychologist allegedly told her her partner had been sexually abused as a child - which she believed her partner would not want her to know - and asked her questions about the couple's sex life.
He then made sexual advances towards her, including asking questions about her previous work as an escort, she said.
He said he was attracted to her and asked her if she would go for a drink with him, and suggested he could pay her for sex.
She told the tribunal he touched her face and thighs inappropriately, and gave her a hug before she left.
The complainant told a friend and asked the friend to tell her partner, who did not initially believe her.
To convince him it was true, the complainant left a message on the psychologist's answerphone saying she had changed her mind about having a drink, and asking him to call her back.
When the psychologist called back, the complainant's partner listened on another phone.
The psychologist gave her directions to his house and a detailed description of what it looked like, and said to come over as soon as possible.
He told her she should stop by a liquor store and pick up something to drink and that he would reimburse her, she told the tribunal.
The psychologist repeatedly called her cellphone when she didn't show up, she said.
Later in the day, she laid a complaint with police, and had also complained to the Psychology Board's professional conduct committee.
A friend later offered to help her seek compensation, saying she had been in a similar situation herself.
The complainant told the friend she could do so on her behalf, and was later contacted by police after the psychologist asked them to lay an extortion charge, relating to a letter from the friend saying the complaint would be dropped if compensation was paid.
The psychologist, cross-examined the complainant about the letter, saying the friend told police the complainant had typed it.
The complainant denied any knowledge of the letter or involvement in writing it.
The psychologist could be found guilty of professional misconduct if any part of the allegation was proven.
That included that he contacted and met the complainant and discussed the patient without his consent, and conducted himself in an inappropriate manner by telling the complainant his patient was sexually abused, asking about their sex life, asking about her escort business, touching her and inviting her to have a drink with him.
The hearing would continue tomorrow.
