Ethics, Rules of Conduct and Professionalism Flashcards
Why do you want to become a member of the RICS?
Want to become a member of the most respected and high profile organisations for property professionals. I believe the RICS has the highest standards which commands a level of respect from peers and employers.
What is the role of the RICS?
3 main roles (RAT):
1. Protect consumers through strict Regulation of professional standards
2. Leading source of information and Advice on land, property, construction and associated environmental issues.
3. Maintain highest Training & education.
Promotes and enforces the highest level of professional qualifications in the development & management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
What are the key functions of the RICS?
It is a formal document granted by a monarch, that confers certain rights, or privileges to an organisation or individual.
Who is the current RICS president?
Ann Gray
What do you understand by the term self regulation?
When an individual or organisation monitor and control their own behaviour or performance without external oversight.
Can you tell me what you understand by the principles of better
regulation?
Provide a framework to provide better regulation. There are five principles:
PACTT
P roportionality - make penalty proportionate to the breach
A ccountability - to all members and public
C onsistency - all members the same
T argeting - serious breaches
T ransparency - to all members, clients and public
What is a Bye-Law?
A rule or regulation created by an organisation to govern the behaviour of its members, enforceable through disciplinary action.
Give an example of one of the bye-laws
Bye Law 5 relates to the conduct of RICS members. It sets out the professional and ethical standards RICS members are required to adhere to.
Explain to me the new RICS Rules of Conduct - what do they replace?
The RICS Rules of Conduct replaced the Rules of Conduct for Members and Firms and the 5 Global Professional and Ethical Standards.
- Simpler Structure
- Clear examples of behaviours
- Respect, Diversity and Inclusion
- Understand Evolving Technology
- Tackling Global Challenges
When do the RICS Rules of Conduct take effect?
2nd February 2022
Who do the RICS Rules of Conduct relate to?
Members and firms
What are the 6 ethical principles that the Rules of Conduct are based on?
H onesty
I ntegrity
C ompetence
S ervice
R espect
R esponsibility
What are the 5 Rules?
- M&F must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their personal obligations, including obligations to RICS.
- M&F must maintain their professional competence and ensure services are provided by a competent individual who have the necessary expertise.
- M&F must provide a good quality and diligent service.
- M&F must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion.
- M&F must act in public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in their profession.
Give an example behaviour for each of the 5 Rules of Conduct
- Do not take unfair advantage of others.
- Stay up to date with legislation, codes of practice and professional standards.
- Communicate with others and clients in a way that is understandable for all.
- Do not bully, victimise or harass anyone.
- Respond to complaints made to them promptly, openly and professionally.
What are the core professional obligations of firms and members to RICS in the RICS Rules of Conduct?
Members:
1. Comply with CPD
2. Cooperate with RICS
3. Provide information promptly when requested by Standards and Regulations Board or those exercising authority on their behalf.
Firms:
1. Publish CHP which includes an ADR provider approved by RICS & complaints handling log.
2. Appropriate and adequate PII approved by RICS.
3. Appropriate arrangements for professional work to continue in even of death/absence.
4. Cooperate with RICS
5. Provide info to Standards and Regulation Board
6. Display on business literature on designations, regulated by RICS.
7. Report any matter under Rules for the Registration of Firms.
What disciplinary procedures can the RICS impose?
3 levels of action:
- Action by Head of Regulation
Can initiate one of four:
1. FPN
2. Regulatory Compliance Order - states terms that M&F must take or desist from taking.
3. CPD Sanctions - follow CPD requirement
4. Disciplinary Panel. - Disciplinary Tribunal
1. Compliance Order
2. Fine
3. Suspension/Expulsion
4. Publication of the hearing
5. Conditions on future membership - Appeal Panel
In what circumstances can the disciplinary procedures be imposed?
A complaint to RICS, allegation by a client or third party or due to information received or established by the RICS.
When did RICS last update their disciplinary panel rules?
January 2022, so they aligned with the new RICS Rules of Conduct.
What are the different levels of action within the disciplinary procedures?
Action by Head of Regulation:
1. FPN
2. Impose CPD regulations
3. Regulatory Compliance Order
4. Disciplinary Panel
What do you understand by the term professional practice?
Refers to specialised knowledge and skills used by members to provide expert advice relating to property, land and construction. M&F must adhere to to high standards of conduct and develop their knowledge and skills.
What money laundering regulations or legislation are you aware of?
Legislation:
Money Laundering Regulations (2017)
Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations (2017)
RICS PS:
Countering Bribery and Corruption, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 1st edition, February 2019
What is a red flag of money laundering?
Client has criminal associations & will not provide information about transaction, secretive about proof of funds, ownership.
If funds are large cash payments, does not have means to fund, third party payments.
If transaction is potentially loss making, high value placed on securities.
What bribery legislation are you aware of?
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 in line with the RICS?
Expulsion from RICS
Legal consequences
Reputational Damage
Revoke of Professional license
What are the penalties for being involved in money laundering?
Policed by the Serious Fraud Office
If breached then max 10 years in prison or unlimited fine for individual
Companies face unlimited fine
What constitutes an offence under the Bribery Act 2010?
To offer, promise, give, request or receive a bribe, whether in the public or private sector
What constitutes an offence under the current money laundering
regulations?
Failure to carry out due diligence
Failure to monitor transactions
Failure to report suspicious activity
Failure to maintain appropriate records
Failure to provide appropriate training
How long should you keep anti money laundering records for?
5 years from the date of the transaction is completed or the date the business relationship terminates
What is Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)?
Provides financial protection to professionals if found liable for errors, omissions or negligence in their work that result in financial losses or harm to clients.
Can you tell me about the RICS requirements in relation to PII?
RICS Professional Indemnity Insurance Requirements (2020)
- underwritten by approved firm
- adequate and appropriate level of insurance
- Minimum requirements based on company turnover. Very minimum is £250k
- Annual return must send in PII certificate
-
What is a PII aggregation clause?
Provision policy that limits the amount of coverage available for multiple claims arising from the same or related act, error or omission.
What does ‘claims made’ mean in terms of PII?
It is where a policy covers claims that are first made during the period of insurance regardless when the negligent act occurred.
Covers a claim if it is made during the policy period, regardless of when incident occurred.
Is a PII excess usually paid for per claim?
Depends on the policy.
Per claim means the policyholder is responsible for paying excess for that claim with the insurance company covering the rest up to the policy limit.
or can be
Aggregate basis - policyholder is responsible for paying total amount of all excess claims made during policy, regardless of number of claims made.
In a negligence claim, what would help to show that you acted with
consideration and due process?
Followed RICS Professional Guidance
- Record Keeping
- Policies and Procedures
- Expert Advice
- Regular Training and Development
Can good record keeping help to provide a defence in a PII claim?
Yes. Detailed records demonstrate you took reasonable care, acted with due consideration and followed proper procedures.
If you were providing services outside of your usual scope to a client,
what might you need to do in relation to your PII cover?
- Check policy coverage
- Notify insurer
- Review policy limits
- Document agreement
What is run off cover?
Type of insurance that provides continued coverage for claims that arise after a policy has expired or been cancelled. Covers retirees or closure of businesses.
What RICS requirements are there relating to run off cover?
Consumer claims - Minimum of aggregate cover of £1million over 6 years
Commercial claims - consider what is adequate and appropriate for 6 years, recommends 15 years.
Firms unable to provide suitable run off cover can apply for coverage under RICS Run Off Pool
What changes did RICS recently make to the Minimum Approved PII
Wording?
In 2023 the Minimum Approved PII Wording was broadly unchanged. There were some unrated insurers that entered the PII market for firms and the RICS would not accept dispensations requests provided by unrated insurers.
What precedent has caselaw set in terms of keeping adequate site notes (and therefore providing a defence in a PII claim)?
It forms an important factor in the defence of PII claim.
Lofthouse v Leicester City Council (2007)
Site notes must be kept in sufficient detail to enable professional to explain and justify actions. By keeping detailed notes the defendant successfully defended a claim by producing detailed site notes.
Would a dictated report avoid the need to have any written site notes?
Dictated report may be a useful tool to summarise but may not be sufficient to provide a complete and accurate record.
Site notes important as they provide contemporaneous record of work that has been done. Keeping accurate and detailed site reports can provide stronger defence in event of PII claim.
Explain PII requirements relating to fire safety cover and cyber cover.
Fire Safety Cover - includes damages or injuries resulting form a fire, or any oversights or mistakes which contributed to the fire. Must also cover costs associated with legal proceedings related to fire safety issues.
Cyber Cover - cover losses from data breaches, cyber attacks and costs associated with legal proceedings relating to cyber risks.
How long can a PII claim arise after the work is undertaken?
15 years after work has completed.