Lawyers in Wellington have begun a cross-appeal, hoping to get a doctor suspended for a year

He's appealing a Medical Tribunal decision last year that he had carried out unjustified clinical breast exams on women.

But he is now facing a cross-appeal.

The Professional Conduct Committee is presenting its case in the High Court, saying he hasn't recognised the harm he caused.

It hasn't argued then or now that there was sexual motive.

The doctor's lawyer says he was very upset and even wrote letters to some patients.