Ethics, Professionalism and Rules of Conduct Flashcards
What is the RICS?
The Royal institution of chartered surveyors, which promotes and enforces the highest professional standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction, and infrastructure 
What is the royal charter?
The royal charter requires RICS to promote usefulness of the profession for the advantage of the UK public and other parts of the world
The Royal charter was awarded in 1881
Where are the RICS headquarters?
12 Great George Street, Parliament Square, London
Can you name some some of the RICS faculties?
Quantity surveying
Project management
Real estate
Building surveying
Dispute resolution
What is the RICS motto?
“Est modus en rebus” - there is measure in all things
What is Lionheart?
An independent charity ran by RICS professionals which includes services such as financial support, health and well-being packages, and free professional counselling
Why do you want to be a chartered surveyor? 
The RICS is the largest international property institution in the world and by joining, I will get global recognition, become part of a professional community, and receive an elite professional status
Why is professional membership important?
Build a global network of professionals
Enhances skills and employability
Demonstrates higher professional and ethical standards
Demonstrates competence in field of work
What is the RICS matrics?
The RICS matrics is a professional group to support new members entering the profession
The group works with the RCS to shape the future of surveying 
What is the RICS insight community? 
A platform on LinkedIn that provides the opportunity to connect, network and engage with other professionals
Why are professional RICS groups beneficial for surveyors?
Connect with other surveyors
Enables knowledge sharing
Can ask questions and delve on others’ experiences
What is the structure of the RICS?
Self governed (no more Privy Council)
Governing council - the highest governing body of the RCS that deals with entry requirements enforcing professional standards and ensuring the RICS fulfils its Royal charter obligations
RICS board - deals with membership services, nominations and renumeration, and audit, risk and finance
Standards and regulation board - deals with qualifications and assessments, and dispute resolution appointments
Who is the President of the RICS?
Tina Paylett, 2024
Can you give examples of how rule of conduct 1 is implemented?
Rule of conduct 1 - members and firms must be honest, act within integrity and comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to the RICS
Rule of conduct 1 can be demonstrated by:
Acting impartially
Identifying and dealing with conflicts of interest
Ensuring clients are informed by being open and transparent
Protecting confidential information
Not facilitating any financial crime, including money laundering, bribery or corruption
Can you give an example of how rule of conduct 2 is implemented?
Rule of conduct 2 - members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise
Ways in which role of conduct 2 can be demonstrated are:
Only undertaking Work I am competent to do
Maintaining and developing knowledge and skills
Stay up-to-date with relevant legislation
Can you give an example of the rule of conduct of 3 is implemented?
Rule of conduct 3 - members and firms must provide good quality and diligent services
Rule of conduct 3 can be demonstrated by:
Understanding clients needs and objectives
Understanding client scope of services
Undertaking work in a timely manner
Ensuring proper records are kept of all advice
Can you give an example of how rule of conduct 4 is implemented?
Rule of conduct 4 - members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
Rule of conduct 4 can be demonstrated by:
Treating everyone with fairness and respect
Creating inclusive cultures and environments
Reporting abusive labour and modern slavery
Can you give an example of how rule of conduct 5 can be implemented?
Rule of conduct 5 - members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession
Rule of conduct 5 can be demonstrated by:
Responding to complaints promptly, openly and professionally
Cooperate with investigations
Ensure not to undermine the RICS
Take responsibility for actions
Under the rules of conduct, what are the core professional obligations for members?
Members must:
Undertake the required CPD
Cooperate with the RICS
Promptly provide information as reason to be requested by the standards and regulation board
Under the rules of conduct, can you list the core professional obligations for firms?
Firms must:
Publish a complaint handling procedure
Ensure they have adequate and appropriate PI
Cooperate with the RICS
Ensure arrangements are made for firms with sole practitioners , ie Locums
How can you, as a charter surveyor, maintain a high ethical standard?
Maintain CPD
Follow advice given by the RICS on ethical behaviour
Report to any unethical behaviour
Review my own actions continuously
How can employers create an ethical environment?
Publish a whistleblowing policy for confidentiality
Include ethical evaluations in performance appraisals
Encourage staff to pursue chartership
Conduct CPD sessions surrounding ethics
Put necessary training in place
What is the difference between ethics and integrity?
Ethics are moral principles the govern a persons behaviour
Integrity is the quality of being honest and implementing such moral principles
Are you aware of any guidance for social media usage for chartered members?
I am aware of the social media guidance for members
This document details the standards expected of members and how they should prevent themselves professionally online
What are the various types of standards published by the RICS?
The RICS is currently currently undergoing a review of all their documents to categorise into professional standards and practice notes
I am aware that previously this was:
Professional statements (mandatory)
Guidance notes (not mandatory, but promotes best practice)
The APC (entry requirements)
Data standards (ensuring software can meet RICS standards for confidentiality)
What would happen if an RICS chartered surveyor didn’t comply with the professional standards and guidance?
If there was ever a professional negligence claim, the courts may query whether that charted member acted competently and followed the standards and guidance set out by the RICS
If this was not the case, the courts may decide that the works undertaken were professionally negligent
What is the RICS black book?
The RICS black book is a suite of guidance notes that defines good technical standards for quantity surveying and construction professionals
When are firms required to be regulated by the RICS?
If 50% of their principles are RICS charted
Are you aware of any guidance available to register as an RICS regulated firm?
Rules for the registration of firms is an RICS regulation that can be located on the website
When is a firm eligible to register for RICS regulation?
Firm is eligible when 25% or more of the principals are RICS chartered
If this criteria is not met, the RICS head of regulation could determine whether it is acceptable that a firm could be RICS regulated, if they believe that the firm would be suitably managed
What is a Locum?
A Locum is someone who is appointed to take over a sole practitioner should they be unable to work, for example, if they went on sabbatical or passed away
A Locum could be another MRICS surveyor, or someone qualified to do my role
How does PII cover relate to locums?
The locum would either be covered under the firms PII policy, or they could get their own cover
What are the RICS bye-laws?
A set of rules and regulations under which the RICS conducts itself
These can be located on the RICS website
Can you name some of the RICS bye-laws?
Bye-law 1 - application and definitions
Bye-law 2 - membership and registration
Bye-law 3 - designations (MRICS / FRICS)
Bye-law 4 - contributions to funds (payment for membership / subscriptions)
Bye-law 5 - conduct (liabilities of members and firms, and powers of the RICS)
Bye-law 6 - governing council, officers and staff (power of councils, duties of council)
Bye-law 7 - subordinate boards, committees, and groups
Bye-law 8 - procedure for general meetings
Bye-law 9 - accounts and audits
Bye-law 10 - general
What is the RICS CPD policy?
Members must undertake 20 hours of CPD per annum, with at least 10 hours being formal
Members must undertake CPD surrounding ethics every three years
As an APC candidate, I have been required to undertake 48 hours of CPD per annum, at least 50% should be formal CPD
Can you give some examples of formal CPD?
Professional training courses
Learning the includes an assessment measure
Seminars, webinars, lectures
Can you give an example of some informal CPD?
Private study
Private reading
On the job training
What kind of professional training have you done during your APC journey?
Building blocks program
Reading articles and policies
Mock interview
Question and answer hubs
What should you consider before accepting gifts and hospitality?
Timing of the gift - is a project in an important stage, for example during tender
Proportionality - how big or expensive is the gift? Could it be considered a bribe?
Impartiality - would accepting this gift affect my ability to act impartially?
Accepting this align with the RICS rules of conduct
Can you accept gifts from clients and contractors?
There will be circumstances where I can accept gifts from clients and contractors, but I would always ensure to consider the timing, proportionality, and my ability to act impartially, before accepting a gift
I would also always ensure to disclose any offered, declined or accepted gifts on my companies gifts and hospitality register
What is a gift register?
A gift register is a record of all gifts offered, declined and received from clients and contractors
The gift register is used for employees within the company
Can you describe a conflict of interest?
A conflict of interest is a risk that professional judgement could be hindered