Ethics Flashcards
When was the RICS founded and when was it granted its Royal Charter?
1868
Granted Royal Charter by Privy Council in 1881
How many people are part of the RICS?
Over 140,000
What are the four levels of membership?
- FRICS
- MRICS
- AssocRICS
- Trainee / Student
What is the governance structure of the RICS?
Governing Council - provides management and strategic directions
Standards & Regulation Board and Management Board report to Governing Council
17 Specialist Professional Groups - outline standards of competence / practice.
CEO = Justin Young
President = Tina Paillet
What is Tina Paillets policy?
To build on the future foundations:
- Enhance member value / engagement
- Attract a diverse next generation
- Strengthen trust in the profession
- Lead / Influence on sustainability
particular focus on sustainability
How do you become a fellow of the RICS?
Evidence of achievement of FOUR fellowship characteristics:
- 5+ years at MRICS
- Leadership role
- Professional / technical achievement
- Academic achievement
- Raising profile of RICS
+ a portfolio of professional achievement is required to support application
What is the role of the RICS?
- Maintain highest standards of education and training
- Protect consumers through strict regulation of professional standards
- To be the leading source of information and independent advice on land / property / construction / associated environmental issues.
What was the aim of the Bichard review?
Built upon Levitt Review (2021)
- Clarify purpose of RICS
2.Make recommendations on governing structure - Provide proposals for incoming leadership on future culture / strategy
When was the Bichard Review published? What were the outcomes?
- Published June 2022
- RICS has agreed to adopt all the Bichard recommendations
- Changes are ongoing
What has the RICS adopted as part of the Bichard Review (2022)?
- Recruited new Management Board and Standards and Regulation Board.
- Held elections for key RICS committees and groups
- Recruited new Diversity / Equality / Inclusion / Sustainability Panel Chairs
- Introduced new package of support.
- Published 5 foundations in November 2023.
What are the 7 key areas of the Bichard Review?
- Focus on public interest remit.
- Greater independence for regulatory functions
- Increased focus on D&I
- Increased member engagement.
- Reviewing RICS governance every 5 years.
- New, clear, governance structure.
- Greater leadership on sustainability / climate change.
What are the 5 RICS future foundations?
- Vision
- Mission
- Strategic Goals
- Values
- A world class organisation
What is a responsible principal?
- Must ensure all reasonable steps are taken and systems are in place to comply with RICS / Regulatory requirements.
- Reports to RICS as required
What must firms undertake annually?
Annual return to RICS confirming their compliance with obligations
When must a firm apply for regulation and when can they?
Must: 50% of principals are RICS members
Can: 25% of principals are RICS members.
What is a principal?
Sole Practitioner / Director / Partner / Board member
What information is required by the RICS for registration?
- Type of business
- Staffing details
- Name of Responsible Principal
- Statutory Regulated Activities
- Nature of clients
- Complaints Handling Procedure details and records
- Professional Indemnity insurance details
- Whether firm holds client money
When were the new rules of conduct published and when did they become effective?
Published: Oct 2021
Effective: Feb 2022
What are the 5 rules of conduct?
RULE 1:
Members and Firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to RICS
RULE 2:
Members and Firms must maintain their professional competency and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise.
RULE 3:
Members and firms must provide good-quality and diligent service
RULE 4:
Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion.
RULE 5:
Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in their profession.
What are some of the mandatory obligations set out in Appendix A of the Rules of Conduct (2021)?
RICS MEMBERS:
1. Comply with CPD requirements
MEMBERS & FIRMS:
1. Co-operate with RICS
2. Provide all info requested by SARB
FIRMS:
1. Publish CHP with RICS approved ADR provider and maintain complaints log.
2. Ensure appropriate RICS approved PII
3. If Sole Principal - make appropriate arrangements for work to continue
4. Display designation that they are regulated by RICS
5. Report to RICS any matter they are required to under Rules for the Registration of Firms.
If you’re unsure of a decision what can you do?
- Check Ethics Decision Tree
- Decline instruction
What RICS documents set out the disciplinary process and the regulatory approach?
- RICS Regulatory Decision Making (2022)
- RICS Regulatory Tribunal Rules (2022)
What are the three levels of disciplinary action?
- Action by Head of Regulation
- Disciplinary Panel
- Appeal Panel
What four actions can a head of regulation initiate if they consider that disciplinary action is required?
- Serve Fixed Penalty Notice
- Make Regulatory Compliance Order
- Refer the matter to member of Regulatory Tribunal for consideration
- Refer the matter directly to Disciplinary Panel
What is a Regulatory Compliance Order? When is it used?
- Written document stating terms they must take / desist and agreement to pay fine.
- Used for low level breaches - i.e not undertaking appropriate CPD
When is Action by a disciplinary panel used? Can you appeal?
- More serious breaches of conduct
- Right of appeal at appeal panel
What penalties are available to a Regulatory Tribunal Disciplinary Panel?
- RCO
- Reprimand
- Fine
- Conditions upon future RICS registration
- Expulsion
- Publication of results
What RICS guidance is there on the use of social media?
Use of Social Media: Guidance for RICS members 2021
When is the RICS likely to investigate concerns about social media posts?
Must follow RICS Rules of Conduct on social media.
Will investigate where they involve:
- Discrimination
- Dishonesty
- Abusive / threatening behaviours
- Bullying
- Pattern of frequent concerning communications
- Ignoring previous warnings
What are the new RICS document names?
- Professional Standard - mandatory / best guidance
- Practice information - good practice / processes / insight
- Practice alerts - emerging areas of risk
What should fee’s be?
Market bases and agreed on an ad-hoc basis with client’s
Transparent
What should firms avoid during fee negotiations?
- Price fixing
- Aggressive fee cutting
- Collusion with competitors
What should you do if you are in receipt of or offering a referral fee?
- Consider in the context of Bribery Act 2010 and RICS Rules of Conduct
- Be transparent and state in Terms of Engagement
What would you do if your client wished you to lower your fee?
- Refer to RICS Ethics Decision Tree
- Vary proposed level of service
- Ensure that high standard of service is maintained
What must the terms of engagement include?
General:
- Clients agreement to proposed fee basis
- Copy of CPH available on request
Redbook Compliant Valuation:
- Identification & Status of Valuer
- Identification of Client & any other intended users.
- Asset to be valued
- Currency
- Format of report
- Basis of value
- Extent of investigation
- Assumptions / Special Assumptions
- Comment that may be subject to RICS compliance
- Valuation methodology
- Valuation date
- Nature & Source of information
- Restrictions for use / distribution / publication
- Confirmation of IVS compliance.
- Limitation on liability agreed.
What is a conflict of interest?
- Arises when members / firms independence & impartiality is threatened due to the existence of a conflict
What are the three types of conflict?
- Party conflict - same instruction for two parties.
- Own-interest conflict - personal interest.
- Confidential Information Conflict - work that is confidential between two parties.
When should surveyors seek informed consent?
- Only when all parties are best served by doing so.
- Must be given in writing if the surveyor is entirely transparent about all material factors.
What RICS guidance covers conflicts of interest?
RICS Global Professional Standard on Conflicts of Interest (2017)
States members must not advise / represent clients where doing so would involve a CoI or significant risk of CoI, other than where all those who are, or may be affected have provided their informed consent.
Informed consent must only be sought if it is in the best interest of all and not prohibited by law.
Say you have identified that there is a risk of a conflict when you receive an instruction. How would you proceed?
RICS Regulated Firm:
- Consider whether to avoid conflict and decline instruction.
- If proceeding - disclose nature of conflict and any other relevant factors and how firm intends to deal with the conflict.
- Ensure both parties can make their own decision (inform them to seek advice if needed).
- Request written confirmation from both clients of their informed consent.
- Set up proposed information barrier.
Network Rail:
- Inform line manager
- Raise on iEthics
- Line managers duty to manage conflict by removing from project / moving me to different team etc.