Ethics Flashcards
What are the 3 benefits of regulation for firms?
- CONFIDENCE for clients as regulated firms are monitored by RICS.
- PROFESSIONALISM firms will have to provide clear, impartial and expert advice.
- SECURITY firms have to have a recognised complaints procedure and access to free independent redress scheme
6 Principle of Bribery Act 2010
- Proportionality
- Top level commitment
- Risk assessment
- Due diligence
- Communication
- Monitoring and review
When was the RICS founded?
1868
When was the RICS given its Royal Charter?
1881
Roughly how many members?
130,000
What are the four levels of membership?
- FRICS
- MRICS
- AssocRICS
- Trainee/Student
What does the RICS stand for?
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
How does one become FRICS?
Displays four of the following 5 characteristics:
- 5 or more years at MRICS
- A leadership role
- Professional/technical achievement
- Academic achievement
- Raising the profile of the RICS
How does one become FRICS?
Displays four of the following 5 characteristics:
- 5 or more years at MRICS
- A leadership role
- Professional/technical achievement
- Academic achievement
- Raising the profile of the RICS
How many members on Governing Council?
25
What does Governing Council do?
Provides management and strategic directions.
Who reports to Governing Council?
Regulatory board, management board, etc
How many specialist professional groups and what do they cover?
17 - covering land, property and construction
Every RICS professional group has what?
An elected board and is responsible for outlining standards of competence and practice.
Who is the current Chair of Governing Council?
Interim Chair - Nicholas Maclean
Who is the current CEO of the RICS?
Interim CEO - Richard Collins
Who is the current President of the RICS?
Clement Lau FRICS
Who is the current President Elect of the RICS?
Ann Gray FRICS
In the UK, how many national associations are there?
4
In the UK, how many regional boards are there?
10
What are the three main roles of the RICS?
- To maintain the highest standards of education and training
- To protect consumers through strict regulation of professional standards
- To be the leading sources of information and independent advice on land, property, construction and associated environmental issues (RICS 2015)
What are the 5 benefits of being an RICS member?
STATUS – your professional credentials provide unrivalled client confidence
RECOGNITION – promotion of your professional excellence to governments and markets
MARKET ADVANTAGE – RICS status and standards given you a competitive advantage
KNOWLEDGE – international practice standards, professional guidance, CPD and knowledge sharing
NETWORK – access to 130,000 professionals worldwide
What are the 5 RICS principles of better regulation embedded in the rules?
PROPORTIONALITY – making the penalty proportionate to the breach
ACCOUNTABILITY – to all members and the public
CONSISTENCY – treating all members the same
TARGETING – serious breaches
TRANSPARENCY – to all members, clients and the public
What are the 5 global professional and ethical standards?
- Act with integrity
- Act in a way that promotes trust in the profession
- Always provide a high standard of service
- Take responsibility
- Treat others with respect
What bye-law relates to the ethical and professional standards?
5.2.1 - requires members to conduct themselves in a manner befitting membership of the RICS.
What is the RICS decision tree?
It provides a framework of questions which members should ask themselves when facing a situation in which they are asked to act in a potentially unethical manner or situation.
What document covers the rules for members?
Rules of Conduct for Members 2007, as amended 2020
What are the 7 rules of conduct for members?
- Ethical behaviour
- Competence
- Service
- CPD
- Solvency
- Information to the RICS
- Co-operation
What RICS rules cover firm registration and when was it effective?
RICS Rules for the Registration of Firms 2019, effective 1st April 2020
When must a firm register with the RICS?
If 50% of principles of a UK firm are RICS members.
When can a firm register with the RICS?
If at least 25% of principle of a UK firm are RICS members
What is the definition of a Principle in a firm?
Sole practitioners, directors, partners or board members or someone who can act autonomously/without supervision in a firm
What strict rules are in place regarding the RICS logo and the designation ‘Chartered Surveyors’?
The logo can only be used by members and registered firms, as per the rules that came into effect in April 2020, including a restriction to use the designation ‘Chartered Surveyors’ by firms to the trading name only.
What information in a firms annual return?
- Type of business and staffing details
- PII details
- Nature of clients
- Whether the firm holds clients money
- CHP and records
- Statutory regulated activities (e.g. FCA)
What document covers the rules for firms?
Rules of Conduct for Firms 2007, as amended 2020
What are the 7 rules of conduct for firms regarding the firms Conduct of Business?
- Professional Behaviour
- Competence
- Service
- CPD and training
- Complaints Handling
- Client’s Money
- Indemnity
What are the 6 rules of conduct for firms regarding the firms administration?
- Solvency
- Information to the RICS
- Co-operation
- Advertising
- Arrangements to cover the incapacity or death of a sole practitioner
- Use of designations
What is the new RICS statement of ethical principles and rules of conduct?
A new simplified structure of 5 rules of conduct which will bring all ethical standards into one single document to replace the current rules of conduct for members and firms and the existing global professional and ethical standards.
When will the new rules be effective?
02 February 2022
Who regulates the RICS?
The RICS is self-regulated.
How can a disciplinary procedure be triggered?
- Somebody complaining to the RICS
- An allegation by a client or third party
- Information received or established by the RICS
What is the first step of a formal investigation?
Investigation by the Head of Regulation.
After an initial investigation, what four actions can be imposed?
- Served a fixed penalty notice - only regarding the supply of information to the RICS
- Regulatory Compliance Order - for low level breaches, such as minor breaches that can be easily corrected
- CPD Sanctions - an obligation on a member to follow CPD requirements
- Refer matter to the disciplinary panel for consideration under the disciplinary rules - more serious breaches
What penalties can be imposed by the disciplinary board?
- Issue a compliance order - written document which lays out what the member should do
- Unlimited fine - must be proportionate to the breach
- Impose conditions on future membership of the RICS
- Expulsion from membership of the RICS
- Publication of the results of the hearing on the RICS website, Modus and local newspaper
Can you appeal to a disciplinary outcome?
Yes - appeal panel is 50% lay members
penalty can be varied
can have regard to previous and new evidence
What can you tell me about fee negotiations?
- Healthy competition when quoting fees is encouraged
- Fees should be market-based and agreed on an ad-hoc basis with clients
- Price fixing, aggressive fee cutting or collusion is not accepted
- Further fee negotiations after you have submitted your initial fee proposal is permitted, however if lowering, can you still provide a high standard of service?
- Need to be completely transparent with fees and service needs to be in ToE
- Links back to ethics, rules of conduct and Bribery Act 10.
What do you do following a letter of instruction?
- Check you are competent to carry out the job
- Check for conflicts of interest
- Confirm work in ToE in writing and get back signed before starting work
For agency - compliance with money laundering regulations 2017
For what reasons would you decline an instruction?
- Not competent to carry out the work
- Do not have sufficient facts on the issue
- Proposed client will not sign ToE and/or complete AML checks
- There is a conflict of interest
- A PII cap cannot be agreed
- The advice is for a friend on a Pro bono basis and PII does not cover you for this work
- Client is on the UK Governments sanction list
- Would you be content for your actions to be made public?
RICS Professional and Ethical Standards Decision Tree can help.
What is a conflict of interest?
Arises when a firm or members impartiality and independence is threatened due to the existence of a conflict between two parties.