ETHICS

Question 1

Where are the ethics for architects located?

Answer 1

Registered Architects Rules 2006, part 3

Question 2

Which part of the Act requires that the NZRAB must have in regulations a number of rules including a Code of Minimum Standards of Ethical Conduct for Registered Architects?

Answer 2

Section 67(1)(c) of the Registered Architects Act 2005

Question 3

What does the minimum standard for registered architects state about ethics (section 7 of RAR 2006)

Answer 3

“conduct his or her practice of architecture to an ethical standard at least equivalent to the code of ethical conduct;”

Question 4

What are the three types of ethics in the “Code of Minimum Standards of Ethical Conduct for Registered Architects”?

Answer 4

Standards Related to the Public,
Standards Related to the Client, Standards Related to the Proffesssion

Question 5

List the Code of Ethics (16-17 in toal)

Answer 5

Public: (UM)
1) Uphold the law (46)
2) Misrepresetation (51)

Client: (SCRPT CC)
1) Skill, care and diligence (49)
2) Client Communication (58B)
3) Remuneration and Inducements (56)
4) Professional Judgement (48)
5) Terms of appointment (58A)

5) Confidentiality (58C)
6) Conflict of Interest (52)

Profession: (CHROMA COP)

1) Competence (58)
2) Honesty and fairness (47)
3) Registration status of others (58D)
4) Obligations to report on risk (50)
5) Malicious critism (54)
6) Abuse of Authority (53)

7) Conflicts of professional appointment (55)
8) Opinion on the work of another Registered Architect (58?)
9) Professional reputation (57)

Question 6

What does “Uphold the Law” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 6

A registered architect must adhere to the laws, professional codes of ethics, and conduct in the countries and jurisdictions where they practice.

Question 7

What does “Honesty and Fairness” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 7

A registered architect must perform the architect’s professional activities with both—
(a)
honesty; and
(b)
fairness.

Question 8

What does “Professional Judgement” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 8

A registered architect must exercise unprejudiced and unbiased professional judgement.

Question 9

What does “Skill, care, and diligence” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 9

• Perform professional activities with due skill, care, and diligence.
• Reasonable ability not Best
• If architects professional advice is not followed, and it may lead to significant harm, notify the recipient of potential consequences.

Question 10

What does “Obligations to report on risk” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 10

If a registered architect believes an architectural matter they are involved in could endanger safety, they must report it to the appropriate authority.

Question 11

What does “Misrepresentation” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 11

A registered architect must not misrepresent or falsely advertise their capabilities, business, or professional services and activities.

Question 12

What does “Conflicts of Interest” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 12

• Avoid any significant conflict of interest
• Disclose potential conflicts of interest to clients, owners, or contractors.
• Ensure conflicts do not compromise impartial judgment.

Question 13

What does “Abuse of Authority” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 13

A registered architect must not abuse the architect’s professional authority.

For example a director to use their authority over employees to force them to exercise tasks or objectives outside of their employment contract or that puts them in danger.

Constantly reminding an employee that they can be fired or replaced. Humiliating an employee in front of his colleagues. Forcing an employee to work overtime multiple times a week without additional pay.

It may also be to do with not being impartial to parties that you are dealing with

Designing so RC can be charged for even though not necessary

Question 14

What does “Malicious criticism” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 14

A Registered Architect must not maliciously or unfairly criticise or attempt to discredit another Registered Architect’s work.

Question 15

What does “Conflicts of professional appointment” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 15

If a registered architect is approached for professional services on a project where another architect has a current agreement, they must notify the other architect.

Question 16

What does “Remuneration and inducements” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 16

In their professional activities, a registered architect must:

• Be remunerated solely by the fees and benefits specified in the appointment or employment agreement.
• Avoid offering or accepting significant inducements that create or may create a conflict of interest.
• Not offer any inducements to procure an appointment.

Question 17

What does “Competence” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 17

• Maintain current architectural knowledge and skills.
• Undertake only work within personal competence or obtain support to ensure that the work is completed to a competent standard (consultants)
• Ensure proper supervision when delegating architectural work so it is completed to a competent standard

Question 18

What does “Terms of appointment” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 18

A Registered Architect must not undertake professional work unless the Registered Architect and the client have agreed the terms of the appointment, and the client has provided an instruction to proceed.

This may include but need not be limited to :

a) Scope of work
b) Allocation of responsibilities
c) Any limitation of responsibilities
d) Fee, or method of calculating it, and terms of trade
e) How billing will occur

Extra:
f) Any provision for termination
g) Provision for professional indemnity insurance

Question 19

What will the terms of appointment need to include?

Answer 19

a) Scope of work
b) Allocation of responsibilities
c) Any limitation of responsibilities
d) Fee, or method of calculating it, and terms of trade
e) How billing will occur

Extra (not the RAR 2006)
f) Any provision for termination
g) Provision for professional indemnity insurance

Question 20

What does “Client communication” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 20

A registered architect must:

• Implement effective systems for quality, budget, cost estimates, and timeline during a commission.
• Promptly advise the client of any significant issues that arise during the commission.

Question 21

What does “Confidentiality” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 21

A registered architect must maintain client confidentiality and refrain from disclosing confidential information without prior client consent, except when mandated by law.

(sim to privacy act)

Question 22

What does “Registration status of others” mean in the Architects’ Code of Ethics?

Answer 22

A registered architect managing a practice must prevent any action that may falsely represent an unregistered person working for the practice as a registered architect.