Ethics, Rules, Conduct + Professionalism Flashcards
What are the four levels of RICS membership
- FRICS (to become have show evidence of four characteristics: Five years MRICS, Leadership Role, Achievement in certain area, raising the profile of the RICS)
- MRICS
- AssocRICS
- Trainee
Who is the CEO of the RICS
Justin Young
Who is the RICS president?
Tina Paillet
When was the RICS founded?
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveying was founded in 1868. With the Royal Charter in 1881.
What is the RICS motto?
There is measure in all things
What is the current governance structure?
Governed under terms of its Royal Charter. Structure is as follows:
- Governing council has over 20 member, which runs the RICS, providing management + strategic direction
2a. Standards & Regulations Board
2b. Management Board
- 17 specialist groups covering property, land and constriction. Each group has an elected board + is responsible for outline standards of competence + practice (e.g. Planning & Development, Building Surveying, Valuation, Rural)
What is the role of the RICS?
- Maintain highest standards of education + training
- To protect consumers through strict regulation of professional standards
- To be the leading source of information + independent advice on land, property construction + associated environmental issues
What was the aim of The Bichard Review 2022?
- Clarify purpose of the RICS
- Make recommendations on its governing structure
- Provide proposals for incoming leadership and the strategy of the institution
What were some of the key recommendations of the Bichard Review 2022?
- Renewed + increased focus on public interest remit of the RICS
- Increased focus on diversity + inclusion across RICS
- Independent RICS review every 5 years
- Simplified governance structure
- Greater leadership
- Maintaining self reguation
What are the RICS Future Foundations?
Published in November 2023 following the Bichard Review
Vision - A natural & built environment that is sustainable and inclusive for all.
Introduces new Mission (Inspire, uphold), Strategic Goals (Lead + Influence on Sustainability, Attract next gen) and Values (Professional, Collaborative, Inclusive)
What are the 5 benefits to being a RICS Member?
- Status - Professional credentials provide client confidence
- Recognition - Promotion of professional excellence to governments + the market
- Market Advantage - RICS Status + Standards give a competitive advantage
- Knowledge - International practice standards, professional guidance, CPD
- Network - Access to professionals worldwide
What are the RICS Requirements for Registration?
- If 50% of principles are RICS members, then the firm has to be regulated, if at least 25% then the firm can apply to be RICS regulated
- There needs to be a ‘Responsible Principle’
- Principals are the directors of the business
What is the information required by the RICS for registration?
- Type of business + staffing details
- name of the Responsible Principle
- Statutory regulated activties
- Nature of clients
- Complaints handling procedure + record
- PII details
- Whether the firm holds clients money
What did the RICS Rules of Conduct (2021) replace?
Previous rules of conduct and the 5 Global Professional + Ethical Standards
What are the RICS Rules of Conduct?
Rule 1 - Be honest, act with integrity
Rule 2 - Maintain professional competence + ensure services are provided by competent individuals
Rule 3 - Good quality + diligent service
Rule 4 - Treat others with respect, encourage Diversity + Inclusion
Rule 5 - Act in the public interest, take responsibility for your actions and maintain public confidence in their profession
What is the aim of the Rules of Conduct?
The Rules of Conduct promote and enforce the highest ethical standards in surveying profession.
What are some example behaviours of Rule 1 (Act with Honesty + Integrity)?
1.2 - Members and firms do not allow themselves to be influenced improperly by others (as a result of, for example, giving or receiving work referrals, gifts, hospitality or payments) or by their own self-interest.
1.3 - Members and firms identify actual and potential conflicts of interest throughout a professional assignment and do not provide advice or services where a conflict of interest or a significant risk of one arises, unless they do so in accordance with the current edition of Conflicts of interest, RICS professional statement
1.9 - Members and firms protect confidential information and only use or disclose it for the purposes for which it was provided, where they have the necessary consent to do so or where required or permitted by law.
What are some example behaviours of Rule 2?
2.1 - Members + Firms only undertake work that they have the knowledge, skills and resources to carry out competently
2.3 - Members + firms check that subcontractors have the necessary competence and skills to carry out work competently
What are some example behaviours of Rule 3?
3.1understand the client needs + objectives
3.5 timely manner, with a due skill and care
3.9 good records
3.10 Encourage solutions that are sustainable, and do not harm the environment
What are some example behaviours of Rule 4?
4.3 Members and firms do not bully or harass anyone
4.6 Members and firms to work cooperatively with others
What are some example behaviours of Rule 5?
5.1 Members and firms have an obligation to speak out if they believe work they are completing is not right in any way
5.3 Members and firms to ensure public statements do not undermine public’s confidence in the profession
What are members Professional Obligations to the RICS?
Appendix A of the RICS Rules of Conduct
- Comply with CPD
- Cooperate with the RICS
- Promptly provide all info required by standards + regulation board
What are firms Professional Obligations to the RICS?
Appendix A of the RICS Rules of Conduct
- Publish a Complaints Handling Procedure, which includes an ADR provider
- Ensure work is covered by adequate & appropriate professional indemnity cover
- Cooperate with the RICS
- Provide info requested by Standard and Regulation Board
- If a sole practitioner must make arrangements for death
What was the rationale for developing the new Rules of Conduct?
- Simpler Structure
- Clear examples
- Focusing on Respect, Diversity + Inclusion
- Understanding evolving technology
- Tackling climate change
What is the Ethics Decision Tree?
It is a framework of questions which members should ask themselvs when facing a situation in which they are asked to act in a potentially unethical manner or situation
What are the steps that the Ethics Tree encourages you to consider?
- Do you have all the facts?
- Legality of one’s actions
- Consistency with the RICS Rules of Conduct
- Consult with the correct + appropriate people and have clear reasoning ahead of making decisions
- Would you be content for your decision to be made public?
What does the “Use of Social Media: Guidance for RICS Members, 2021” highlight?
Whilst social media is extremely important for members of firms, it reminds members of the high standards of professional behaviour that is expected of RICS members and that the Rules of Conduct apply to social media as well.
Why is the RICS responsible for regulating the surveying profession?
To protect the public, uphold the public confidence in the profession, uphold professional standards
Who undertakes RICS disciplinary procedures on behalf of the RICS?
The Standards + Regulatory Board
What are the three levels of disciplinary action?
- Action by the Head of the Regulation
- Disciplinary Panel (drawn from the independent regulatory tribunal)
- Appeal Panel
What is the first step of a formal investigation?
A formal investigation by the Head of Regulation of the RICS, who can initiate four actions upon completion of their investigation should they consider that disciplinary action is required
What are the four actions that the Head of Regulation of the RICS can initiate?
- Serve a fixed penalty notice
Used for breaches of the Rules relating only to the supply of information to the RICS by firms and members. May consist of a fine or caution - Regulatory Compliance Order
Low level breaches which can easily be corrected. A written document that states terms upon which member or firm must follow. May be used for example when a member fails to undertake appropriate CPD. - Refer matter to single member of regulatory tribunal
- Action by a disciplinary panel
More serious breaches of control. May include Lay members (not RICS). Penalties available include; RCO, warning, fine, expulsion. Results to be published in the RICS Modus magazine.
What is the new category of core material that is replacing Professional Statement & Guidance notes
Professional Standards: “Set the requirements or expectations for RICS members + regulated firms about how they provide services or the outcomes of their actions”
What is RICS Practice Information?
Info to support practice, knowledge + performance of RICS members + regulated firms. They do not include advice
What are RICS Practice Alerts? and what is a recent one?
Came into affect in August 2023. New tool for warnings or alerting profession to emerging areas of risk.
e.g. An alert providing extra guidance reminding RICS members on the professional obligations when deciding on acting and acting as an Expert Witness
Talk through some key things to note on Fee Negotiations?
- Fees should be market bases + agreed on an ad-hoc basis, avoid price fixing or collusion
- Fee negotiations are allow (as long as professional)
- Scope can be adjusted accordingly, but high level of service still required
- Transparent if receiving a referral fee. Referral fees should in the context of a Bribery Act 2010 + RICS Rules of Conduct
What should the Terms of Engagement include?
Must state in writing:
- The client’s agreement to the proposed fee basis
- Payment of expenses
- Copy of the firm’s complaints handling process
What are the three steps to check ahead of accepting an instruction?
- Check that you are professionally competent
- No conflicts of interest or personal interest
- Confirm terms of engagement in writing before commencing