Ethics, Rules Of Conduct And Professionalism Flashcards
What are the RICS’ 5 principles of better regulation? PACTT
Proportionality - solutions must be proportionate
Accountability - justify your decisions
Consistency - consistent with rules and regs
Targeting - focus on the problem and minimise side effects
Transparency - be open
Difference between RICS ethics and rules?
Ethics are a set or moral values whereas rules of conduct are a framework that we work to
What are the 5 rules of conduct?
Be honest and Act with integrity
Maintain their professional competence
Provide good quality and diligent service
Treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
Act in the public interest and Take responsibility
Why does RICS have Rules of Conduct?
To provide a framework we can all work to.
What is the professional statement for conflicts of Interest?
RICS Conflicts of Interest 1st Edition 2017 (wef January 2018)
Can a member of firm still act if there is a conflict of interest?
Yes if they obtain informed consent from the parties involved and it is not prohibited by law.
What are the three types of conflict?
Party Conflict
Own interest Conflict
Confidential Conflict
What is a party conflict?
Where acting in the interest of a client or party conflicts with a duty owed to another client. This can also arise where a duty owed to a client conflicts with a duty owed to a court or tribunal or where requiring impartiality e.g. adjudicator, arbitrator, mediator…
What is a Own interest Conflict?
Where acting in the interest with a client conflicts your own interest.
What is a confidential information conflict?
Not disclosing one clients information to another.
When is informed consent not enough?
- A contentious matter
- Appointment is subject to a specific statutory or regulatory regime.
Is Competing Bidders a conflict?
Yes but it can be resolved by informed consent and appropriate information barriers being put in place.
What is an Information Barrier?
The physical or electronic (or both) separation within the same firm that prevents confidential information passing between them.
What is the RICS statement for bribery?
Countering bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing 1st Edition February 2019.
What must RICS firms do to counter bribery and corruption?
Prepare a written policy including a risk assessment
Have appropriate governance systems controls in place
Encourage transparency by implementing a register (i.e.gits etc)
Publish a code of behaviour
What must RICS members do to counter bribery and corruption?
Declare any gifts to their employer and attend relevant training
What is the RICS statement for Client money?
Client money handling October 2019 (wef January 2020)
What are the objectives of RICS statement on client money handling?
Ensure client money is kept safe
Ensure client money accounts are used for appropriate purposes
Ensure firms have appropriate controls and procedures to safeguard client money
What RICS scheme should a RICS firm be registered to for client money?
Either RICS Client Money Scheme for Surveying Services OR RICS Client Money Protection Scheme for Property Agents.
What is Rule 1 of the rules of Conduct and give me an example.
Must be honesty and act with integrity and comply with professional obligations, including those to RICS.
e.g. members and firms are open and transparent with clients about their fees and services.
What is Rule 2 of the rules of Conduct and give me an example
Maintain professional competence and ensure the services provided are by competent individuals who have necessary expertise.
e.g. Only undertake work that they have knowledge, skills and resources to carry out competently.
What is Rule 3 of the rules of Conduct and give me an example
Provide good-quality and diligent service.
e.g. understand a client needs and objectives before accepting any professional work.
What is Rule 4 of the rules of Conduct and give me an example
Treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion.
e.g. work cooperatively with others and do not bully, victimise or harass anyone.
What is Rule 5 of the rules of Conduct and give me an example
Must act in the public interest and take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession.
e.g. respond to complaints promptly, openly and professionally.
What are the 3 professional obligations for RICS Members?
- Comply with CPD requirements
- Cooperate with RICS
- Promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and Regulation Board
What are the 7 professional obligations for RICS firms?
- Publish a complaints handling procedure
- Ensure all previous and current professional work is covered by adequate professional indemnity insurance
- Make appropriate arrangements for their professional work to continue in the event of death or inability to work (Locum)
- Cooperate with RICS
- Promplty provide all information reasonably requested by RICS Standards and Regulation Board.
- Display on their business literature a designation to denote that they are regulated by RICS.
- Report any RICS matter they are required to under the Rules for the Registration of Firms.
What are the max levels of uninsured excess?
Effective from 1/4/22 the max uninsured excess:-
Liability up to £500K = greater of 2.5% of sum insured or £10K
Liability over £500K = 2.5% of sum insured
What is the purpose of PII?
To provide financial cover in the event a client suffers financial loss as a result of a breach of professional duty e.g. neglect, errors or omissions.
What is the min levels of indemnity?
Turnover:
£100,000 or less = £250,000
£100,001 to £200,000 = £500,000
£200,001 and above = £1,000,000
What is the RICS guidance note for firm registrations?
RICS Rules for the Registration of Firms wef 2/2/22
What Firms are required to register?
a) Provides surveying services to the public
b) Operating in Regulated Area A (UK)
c) 50% of the firms principals are RICS members
What is the procedure to register a new firm?
- Make an application providing such information required by the Standards and Regulations Board
- Have an appointed principal
- agree RICS may share relevant information about the firm with government or other regulatory bodies as appropriate
- agree if RICS declines, they may publish their decision.
What is RICS Standards and Regulations Board?
It oversees the activities of RICS’ professional standards, entry and admission to the profession, education and qualification standards, regulatory operations, dispute resolution services and the Regulatory Tribunal.
What is the RICS ethical decision tree?
The RICS decision tree assist me in making informed decisions, confirming my actions are ethical and legal.
What are the three types of due diligence?
Simple Due Diligence - Where you determine the business relationship is low risk of money laundering/terrorism
Enhanced Due Diligence - For high risk customers and transactions with greater threat to the financial sector
New Customer Due Diligence - Ensure your client is who they say they are.