Ethics Flashcards
what is the definition of Ethics?
applying the right moral principles to decisions and actions to produce posititve outcomes.
What might happen if a member contravenes the rules?
anything from:
- caution
- fine
- conditions/ Extra CPD
- removal of registration and expulsion
Why do we have the rules of conduct?
Rules to set out the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of members and firms registered for regulation by RICS
How many Bye Laws and Regulations are there?
10 Bylaws and 10 regulations
Regulation 5 = conduct (rules of conduct for members and firms)
what other professional bodies may involved with code of practice?
CAAV Central Association for Agricultural Valuers
What do you do/refer to if you have an ethical dilemma?
Use the RICS Ethical decision tree.
you witness inappropriate behaviour during a project team meeting, what do you do?
depends on what is appropriate, may want to talk to victim and challenge offender. if not sure ask boss, if senior, may challenge in a respectful way
who or what do the rules of conduct relate to?
members and firms
why did the rules of conduct change? and when?
Due to societal and governance issues
2nd Feb 2022
A client accidently overpays you by £50, what would you do?
give it back. As per Rule 1: honesty
CPD amount for qualified member?
20 hours (10 hours of formal learning)
May some members be required to do more CPD hours per year?
Yes, some members may be required tro if they have been in breach of the Rules or Obligations set by RICS
how often are qualified members required to complete ethics CPD?
every 3 years
How do you measure your clients satisfaction?
- Regular communication
- KPIs
You hear a fellow member has posted offensive info, what should you do?
need to check, more info it depennds, report to RICS or maybe a hate crime report to the police
give an example of when you have faced an ethical issue/conflict of interest and how you’ve dealt with it?
L to W 33KV:
I knew the landowner so asked my collegue to carry out this work on my behalf without my involvement.
Given your example for a COI, what would be required to continue your work on this project?
- Transparency with client
- A Informed Consent form
- Records of this COI
When would you carry out a COI check for a retained client?
Annually
or when doing work outside of the management agreement
give an example of Professional standards and Practice Information?
Practice Information (Guidance for best practice) - “easement and wayleaves”
Professional Standards (Mandatory) - Conflict of interest.
List some Professional Standards.
Are you aware of any Pro Standards that are coming into effect soon?
- Rules of Conduct
- Surveying Safely
- Conflict of Interest
“Responsible use of Artifiical intelegnece” Professional Standard (Expected July 2025)
How many rules of conduct and what are they?
5
Rule 1 - honesty and integrity
Rule 2 - professional competence
Rule 3 - good quality diligent service
Rule 4 - respect, inclusivity diversity
Rule 5 - act in public interest, responsibility
Can you tell me what you understand by the Principles of Better Regulation?
(TPACT)
Transparent
Proportional
Accountable
Consistent
Targeted
What is a Bye-Law?
a rule adopted by an organisation in order to regulate its own affairs and the behaviour of its members
Give an example of one of the RICS Bye-Laws.
Byelaw 2 - membership and registration
Byelaw 5 - conduct
Explain what the new RICS Rules of Conduct aim to achieve - what do they replace?
5 new rules for firms and members with examples
aim to address global risks and opportunities:
- simplify structure
- clear examples each rule
- respect diversity inclusion
replace Rules of Conduct for Firms and for Members and the Global Professional & Ethical Standards.
When did the new RICS Rules of Conduct take effect?
2nd Feb 2022
Who do the RICS Rules of Conduct relate to?
all members and firms globally
Give an example behaviour for each of the rules of conduct?
Rule 1 - honest and integrity - don’t be influenced by others
(gifts) or by own self interest
Rule 2 - professional competence - only carry out work you
have the knowledge and skills to do
Rule 3 - good quality diligent service - communicate with clients clearly and in a way they understand
Rule 4 - respect, inclusivity diversity - respect others and treat fairly
Rule 5 - act in public interest, responsibility - respond to complaints promptly openly and professionally.
What are the 7 core professional obligations of RICS firms?
Firms - 7
1 - publish complaints handling procedure inc alternative dispute provider, maintain complaints log
2 - PI cover
3 - if sole principle, need arrangement for work to continue
4 - cooperate with RICS
5 - promptly provide info requested by Standards and Regulation Board
6 - show the firm regulated by RICS
7 - report any matter under Rules for the Registration of firms
What are the 3 core professional obligations of RICS members?
Members - 3
1 - CPD requirements (members)
2 - cooperate with RICS (members)
3 - provide info to Standards and Regulations Board (members)
What disciplinary procedures can the RICS impose?
- Fixed penalty notices
- Consent orders
- Interim measures
- Panel hearings
- Expulsion from the institution.
What actions can be taken as part of RICS disciplinary procedures?
- Regulatory Compliance Order (Member accepts liabiltity)
- Regulatory Tribunal
- Referred to Disciplinary Panel for a public hearing.
What do you understand by the term professional practice?
The applpication of appropriate conduct and quality work within the profession
What money laundering regulations or legislation are you aware of?
Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 2019
Proceeds of Crime Act (2002) POCA
What is a red flag of money laundering?
- Large cash payments
- Unexplained payments from a third party
- Use of multiple or foreign accounts
What bribery legislation are you aware of?
Bribery Act 2010
An offence for a person in the UK to pay or receive a bribe, either directly or indirectly.
What are the 6 principles of the Bribery Act?
- Procedures
- Commitment
- Risk Assessment
- Due Diligence
- Communication and Training
- Monitoring and Review
What are some offences under the bribery act?
- Accepting a Bribe
- Offering a Bribe
- Facilitating a bribe
- Bribing an foreign public official
Who enforces the bribery act?
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
What is a bribe?
offering, promising, giving, accepting or soliciting of an advantage as an inducement for an action which is illegal, unethical or a breach of trust.
What are the penalties for accepting a bribe?
corporates = unlimited fines
individuals = jail sentence of up to 10 years or unlimited fine or both
What are the penalties for being involved in money laundering?
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 - jail sentence of up to 14 years or a large fine
What constitutes an offence under the Bribery Act 2010?
offer/ promise/ give something, directly/ indirectly, to another person, intending that a person is rewarded for, or made to, perform an activity improperly.
Can you tell me about the RICS requirements in relation to PII? (Professional Indemnity Insurance)
turn over limits:
less than £100,000 = £250,000 cover
£100,001 - £200,000 = £500,000 cover
more than 200,001 = £1 mill cover
- buy from specialist insurer recommended by RICS (Hiscox)
What constitutes an offence under the current money laundering regulations?
possession, concealment, conversion, transfer or making of arrangements relating to the proceeds of crime. This is not limited to money or cash
How long should you keep anti money laundering records for?
5 years beginning from the date the relationship ends
What is Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)?
liability insurance that covers businesses when a third party claims to have suffered a loss as a result of professional negligence.
When did the Bribery Act 2010 come into force?
1 July 2011
What is a PII aggregation clause?
governs what happens if there is more than one claim under the same policy in the same year
What does ‘claims made’ mean in terms of PII?
the policy in place at the time the claim is made by the client will provide cover.
If a claim for an action in 2022 is claimed for in 2024, it is the 2024 policy that will cover this action now the 2022 cover.
Is a PII excess usually paid for per claim?
yes, usually
In a negligence claim, what would help to show that you acted with consideration and due process?
Set terms of engagement for the sole purpose intended and should exclude liability for losses incurred as a result.
Keep well-recorded file notes of all meetings and of any advice that is offered to the client.