A judge confirmed the Chamber of Architects and Civil Engineers' decision to suspend architect David Psaila for “grossly negligent work” when working on a construction site in Birkirkara.

The Court of Appeal, on Wednesday morning, passed a judgement which decided against Psaila’s appeal and is now subject to KTP’s six-month warrant suspension.

“The judgement also confirmed the rigorous approach employed by the Council in reviewing complaints made by members of the public and in upholding public safety on construction sites,” the chamber said.

The construction site was a former glass factory in Fleur-de-Lys Birkirkara, which was being developed into a block of offices, apartments, maisonettes, penthouses and garages.

A Council took the decision to suspend Psaila after a couple living next to the construction site, Matthew and Ramona Montebello, had complained about the demolition works going on. Psaila was found to be breaching the chamber’s code of professional conduct as he was the developer, architect and technical officer of the site. He was also absent from demolition sites during demolition works.

“The poor-quality documentation, as well as Psaila’s demeanour and communication with the complainants throughout the execution of the project dented their confidence in his professional integrity and good faith and, by inference, in that of the entire professional body,” the chamber had said.

“The Council will continue to strive to act diligently and in good faith as it has been doing particularly in recent years to ensure that allegations of misconduct are handled expeditiously and in full observance of the constitutional rights of the parties involved.”