Ethics Level 1 - Sept 2023 S.S Flashcards
Why do you want to become a member of RICS?
To be a member of the RICS is the gold standard in our profession. RICS is known worldwide for high Quality of standards and profesionalism.
What is the role of RICS?
To promote and enforce the highest professional standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
What are the key functions of RICS?
RICS develops and enforces leading international standards to protect consumers and businesses, ensuring the highest level of professionalism
What is a Royal Charter?
A Royal Charter, granted by the sovereign on the advice by the privy council is given to bodies that work in the public interest.
What is the Royal Charter of RICS
The Royal Charter given by the sovereign on the advice of the privy council dated the twenty-sixth day of August 1881 for the RICS to act in the public interest.
Who is the current RICS president?
The current president of the RICS is Ann Gray
Who is the president elect?
Tina Paillet
What do you understand by the term self regulation?
RICS self-regulates, meaning that it operates within its own published regulatory framework, rather than being legislated by Government. The interim standards and regulation board oversees regulation for RICS Members and RICS regulated firms.
Who does the Interim Standards and Regulation Board report to?
Governing Council
What is Governing Council.
The executive body responsible for directing the affairs of RICS.
Can you tell me what you understand by the principles of better regulation?
P - Proportionality
A - Accountability
C - Consistency
T - Targeting
T - Transparency
What is a Bye-Law?
A regulation made by a local authority or corporation
What is a RICS Bye-Law
the Bye-Laws of RICS, made from time to time pursuant to Articles 16 and 17 of the Charter and approved by the Members
What documents are RICS governed by?
The constitutional documents consist of the Royal Charter, Bye-Laws, Regulations and Standing Orders.
Can the Royal Charter or bye-laws be amended?
Only by a membership vote and approval by the Privy Council.
Who approves changes to Regulations and Standing Orders?
Governing Council.
What are the 6 ethical principles that the Rules of Conduct are based on?
Ethical principles of
1 - honesty & integrity
2 - competence
3 - service
4 - respect
5 - responsibility
Give an example of one of the RICS Bye-Laws.
Bye Law 5.1 - The rules of conduct apply to all members and firms regulated by RICS.
Explain to me the new RICS Rules of Conduct - what do they replace?
They replace the older versions which had been in place since 2007 for members and firms which were Rules of conduct for members Rules of conduct for firms Global ethical principles
What date were the new rules of conduct effective from
2nd February 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 competence 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 the profession.Plus the appendix setting out the main professional obligations to RICS.
Give an example behaviour for each Rule of Conduct
Rule 1 - Members and Firms not to allow themselves to be influenced by others for instance in receiving referrals, gifts, payments, hospitality or by their own self interest.
Rule 2 - Members and Firms only undertake work that they have the knowledge, skills and resources to carry out completely.
Rule 3 - Members and firms communicate to clients the material information on which their professional advice and opinion is based.
Rule 4 - Members and firms respect the rights of others and treat others with courtesy.
Rule 5 - Members and firms support directors, partners, employees, colleagues or clients who have acted in good faith to report concerns.
What type of document is the Rules of Conduct
Global Standard
Who do the rules of conduct relate to?
Members and Firms
What are the core professional obligations of firms and members to RICS?
Members:
- Comply with CPD Requirements
- Cooperate with RICS
- Provide all information requested by standards and regulation board
Firms;
-Publish complaints handling procedure including dispute resolution provider
- Maintain complaints log.
- Have appropriate Professional Indemnity cover for previous and current work.
- Sole principal must have arrangements for work to continue
- Cooperate with RICS.
- provide all information requested by standards and regulation board.
- That they are regulated by RICS on their literature.
- Report any matter that is required under the Rules for the Registration of Firms.
What disciplinary procedures can the RICS impose?
- Fixed penalty (fine by RICS)- Consent order (written agreement between RICS and member/firm, may require them to undertake certain corrective actions or restrain them from taking actions for specified period, and may require to pay a fine)- Disciplinary panel (more serious breaches, held in public. Burden of proof on RICS, balance of probabilities approach adopted)
In what circumstances can these be imposed?
”- Complaint to the RICS- Allegation by client or 3rd party- Information received or established by RICS”
Can you explain the steps of the RICS Ethics Decision Tree?
- Sufficient facts?-
- Legal?-
- In line with RICS Rules of Conduct?
- Have you consulted with apt people, to make informed decision?
- Clear reasoning in reaching decision?
- Is your decision informed?
- Would you be content for actions to be made public?If yes to all of above, decide what action to take, act and record decision and reasoning.Otherwise, DO NOT PROCEED”
How can a disciplinary proceeding be triggered?
- Complaint to the RICS- Allegation by client or 3rd party- Information received or established by RICS
When did RICS last update their disciplinary panel rules?
2nd February 2022 now called RICS Regulatory Tribunal Rules
What are the different levels of action within these procedures?
- Action by Head of Regulation
- Disiplinary Panel
- Appeal Panel
What do you understand by the term professional practice?
That a surveying practive should act in a professional manner and follow RICS stnadards and guidance at all times.
What money laundering regulations or legislation are you aware of?
”- Countering Money Laundering, Bribery, Corruption and Terrorist Financing- Conflicts of Interest- Client Money- RICS Property Measurement”
What is a red flag of money laundering?
Common characteristics that either individually or in combination might indicate potential misuse of the real estate sector for money laundering or terrorist financing purposes.
What bribery legislation are you aware of?
The Bribery act 2010
What is a bribe?
‘The offer, promise, giving, demanding or acceptance of an advantage as an inducement for an action that is illegal, unethical or a breach of trust’
What are the penalties for accepting a bribe?
Under the Bribery Act 2010 maximum of 10 years imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both.
What are the penalties for being involved in money laundering?
Offences under the Regulations are punishable with a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment (for individuals) and/or an unlimited fine. For a legal entity, the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine in relation to offences under POCA and the Regulations.POCA - Proceeds of Crime Act
What constitutes an offence under the Bribery Act 2010?
Bribing another person (offering, promising or giving a bribe)
- Being bribed (requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting a bribe)
- Bribing a foreign public official
- Failure by a commercial organisation to prevent bribery
What constitutes an offence under the current money laundering regulations?
Facilitate or be complicit in money laundering or terrorist financing activities.
How long should you keep anti money laundering records for?
A minimum of 5 years
RICS professional standards - what are the various standards and what is their status?
- Professional statements - mandatory requirements, with details of regulatory interventions if these requirements are not met (i.e. Client Money Handling)
- Guidance notes - non-mandatory requirements, recommendations of best practice in undertaking given tasks (i.e. Life Cycle Costing)
- APC - requirements and guidelines relating to entry into the profession
- Data standards - ensure software programmes and technology can adopt RICS standards into their offering
- Code of Practice - mandatory / recommended - says within the documents (i.e. code of measuring practice)
- Standards - (i.e. IPMS)
- Information papers - (i.e. rights of 3rd parties act, how to apply to construction contracts)
- Consumer guides - intended for use by public - consumer guide for homeowners on Party Walls etc
- Best practice (i.e. Cost benchmarking - clarified need to have large pool of data)
What are the two new RICS document catogories being looked at by the Standards and Regulation Board
Professional Standards and Practice Informaiton
What is Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)?
An insurance that protects professionals from claims of negligentce or breach of duty and covers legal costs, expences and claims.