Ethics, Rules of Conduct & Professionalism Flashcards
what do the rics regulations and bye-laws set out?
the governance of the institution
describe rule 3 from the 5 rules of conduct.
members and firms must provide good-quality and diligent service
what are the 3 main roles of the rics?
- to maintain the highest standards of education and training
- to protect consumers through strict regulation of professional standards
- to be the leading source of information and independent advice on land, property, construction and associated environmental issues
what are the 3 main areas of offence in the proceeds of crime act 2002?
- concealing criminal property
- arrangements - if a person enters into arrangement which they suspect facilitates money laundering
- if a person acquires or uses criminal property
when a conflict arises between the interests of two or more clients of a firm, you must always undertake the 3 step process. describe step 1 out of 3
upon receipt of the full facts, consider whether conflict is irresolvable because your impartiality is compromised and should be avoided or whether it can be properly managed maintaining transparency and openness. decide whether you want to accept the instruction from client a and client b
when starting a new practice how do you ensure you are rics compliant?
- inform rics by completing a firm detail form and register with rics for regulation of the firm
- appoint responsible principal
3.arrange pii - set up client money handling procedures and obtain rics apporval for chp
- appoint a complaints handling officer
- register for rics valuer registration scheme if undertaking red book valuations
7.use logo kit from rics website - ensure cpd logged and rics annual return form at end of each year
what 7 mandatory professional obligations set out in Appendix A of the rules of conduct must rics regulated firms comply with?
- publish a complaints handling procedure, which includes an alternative dispute resolution provider approved by rics, and maintain a complaints log
- ensure that all previous and current professional work is covered by adequate and appropriate professional indemnity cover that meets the standards approved by rics
- if having a sole principal, make appropriate arrangements for their professional work to continue in the event of their incapacity, death, absence from or inability to work
- cooperate with rics
- promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the standards and regulation board, or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf
- display on their business literature, in accordance with rics’ published policy on designations, a designation to denote that they are regulated by rics
- report to rics any matter that they are required to report under the rules for the registration of firms
define money laundering
when proceeds of criminal activities are disguised and then realised as legitimate assets
describe the appeal panel process
appeal panels can consider a member’s or firm’s appeal against a review of any level of disciplinary procedure. the appeal panel will review the decision and then they can allow the appeal and vary the penalty previously imposed.
membership of this panel includes non-rics members
in relation to money laundering what are the potential red flags?
- inability or unwillingness of parties to provide identity documents
- changes to parties involved in transactions
- payment of fees in unusual currencies
How would you deal with a complaint from someone to whom you owe a duty of care? How would you deal with it initially and when would you escalate it and set the CHP in motion?
what does the rics’ rules for regulation of firms (2019) state? (3 points)
- if 50% of principals of a UK surveying firm are RICS members then it has to be regulated and if at least 25% are then it can apply to be regulated
- principals are sole practitioners, directors, partners or board members (or someone who is able to act autonomously)
- each firm must nominate a responsible principal who is obliged to ensure all reasonable steps are taken and systems are in place to ensure compliance with rics requirements
how would you deal with a complaint from someone to whom you a duty of care? When might it need to be escalated?
name a mandatory practice statement
- surveyors acting as expert witness (2014, amended 2020)
what does the rics rules of conduct state about pii?
firms must ensure that all previous and current professional work is covered by adequate and appropriate professional indemnity cover that meets standards approved by RICS
what is the latest document from the rics on pii?
UK professional indemnity insurance requirements Version 9 with effect from 1 April 2022
what are the 3 aims of having pii?
- ensure if firm faces a claim it is protected from financial loss that it cannot meet from own resources
- protect insured member/firm against consequences of liability to pay damages to 3rd parties for breaches of professional duty that it commits through professional activities
- ensure that clients do not suffer financial loss which firm cannot meet
when starting a new practice how do you ensure you are statutory compliant?
- disclose business name
- disability discrimination compliance (equality act 2010)
- financial services compliance
- bribery act 2010 compliance
- appoint money laundering officer
- health and safety and fire safety compliance
- register for data protection
- estate agency compliance
- inform hmrc for vat and tax registration
- ensure compliance with current employment law
- ensure insurance compliance for employer and public liability
what do the rics standards documents lay out?
they lay out the ethical, conduct and competence related standards for the profession. by working to these standards, professional members and rics regulated firms deliver confidence and transparency. rics ensures these standards are upheld by the profession through a system of independently led regulation.
who will disputes concerning the registration of a firm be heard by?
the rics standards and regulation board
List 3 ways that a disciplinary procedure can be triggered?
- by someone complaining to the rics
- an allegation by a client or third party
- because of information received or established by the rics
describe rule 2 from the 5 rules of conduct.
members and firms must maintain their professional competency and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise
in relation to Money laundering, terrorist financing and transfer of funds regulations 2017 (amended 2019) describe the enhanced due diligence process
- additional procedures are required for any transaction or business relationship involving a person in a high risk third country or politically exposed person (PEP) or PEP family member
- more detailed examination of the background and purpose of the transaction and increased monitoring
Talk through stage one (in house) procedure for handling complaints
- details of CHP should be issued asap, clearly and in writing
- details of nominated CHOfficer shared to complainant
- procedures and timescales for investigation should be recorded
- complaint should be acknowledged within 7 days and investigated within 28
what must rics regulated firms do annually?
make a return to the rics confirming their compliance with their obligations
How would you create an information barrier?
Separating individuals within the same firm physically and/or electronically to prevent confidential information passing between them.
what are the 4 bribery offences?
- bribing
- receiving a bribe
- bribing a foreign public official
- failing to prevent bribery
what is the uk governance structure?
4 national associations, 10 regional boards and local associations
what is the purpose of the use of social media: guidance for rics members (2021)?
explains the importance of social media networks to members and firms. it reminds members of the high standards of professional behaviour expected of rics members and that the rules of conduct protect the interests of members and the profession as a whole.
what are the consequences for individuals and firms if the act is breached?
individuals = maximum penalty of 10 years and/or unlimited fine. firms = unlimited fine
what do sole practitioners do about CPH?
they must nominate a surveyor from another firm to act as their CHO
describe personal interest/own interest conflict
You must not let a personal interest interfere or influence your judgement. Full transparency is required, facts must be declared promptly and in writing before accepting instruction. If doing agency work you should comply with section 21 of estate agents act 1979
with regards to disciplinary procedures, when would fixed penalties orders be used?
used for breaches of the rules relating only to the supply of information to the rics by firms and members. these may consist of a fine and/or a caution
what does the limitation act 1980 state the current limitation periods for negligence are?
contract - 6 years from the date of the negligent act, breach of contract or omission
tort - 6 years from the date the claimant suffered the loss
why are the rics current governance arrangements under review following Alison Levitt QC’s Review in 2021?
the review publicly described a lack of clarity, structure and purpose of the rics current governance arrangements. Levitt called for a full independent review of the purpose, governance and strategy of RICS.
give 3 examples of mandatory international standards
- rics valuation - Global standards (2021)
- international property measurement standards (IPMS 4, 2019)
- international construction measurement standards (ICMS, 2019)
what is the purpose of the proceeds of crime act 2002?
provides powers for enforcement authorities in the UK to recover criminal money and assets and creates a set of criminal offences intended to stop money laundering
describe rule 1 from the 5 rules of conduct.
members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their personal obligations, including obligations to rics
name the interim chair of governing council, current interim ceo, current president and president elect
interim chair of governing council is Nick Maclean, current interim ceo is Richard Collins, current president is Clement Lau and president elect is Ann Gray
describe the initial investigation stage.
- first step is a formal investigation by the head of regulation.
- head of regulation can initiate one of the following four actions upon completion of their investigation if they consider that disciplinary action is required:
a) serve a fixed penalty notice
b) make a regulatory compliance order
c) refer the matter to a single member of the regulatory tribunal for consideration
d) refer the matter directly to a disciplinary panel
give an example of a time you have used AML procedures at Cluttons
When dealing with the buyer of development site.
I completed a purchaser acceptance form (company name, company number, address, registered jurisdiction, risk assessment) which was signed by the client relationship partner.
I also provided our compliance officer with
- heads of terms
- certified passport
- certified proof of address
- title documents
- proof of funds
in relation to Money laundering, terrorist financing and transfer of funds regulations 2017 (amended 2019), describe the customer due diligence process
- verify client identity based on reliable independent source (e.g. passport)
- try to identify the beneficial owners of the client (companies house)
- for a company its name, company number and registered office address
- names of directors of the company unless company is listed
- purpose and intended nature of the business and proposed funding arrangements
can you give 3 example behaviours from rule 5 of the rules of conduct? (public interest & responsibility)
- Members and firms question practices and decisions that they suspect are not right, and raise concerns with colleagues, senior management, clients, RICS or any other appropriate person, body or organisation where they believe in good faith that it is necessary to do so.
- Members and firms respond to complaints made against them promptly, openly and
professionally. - Members and firms cooperate with investigations into complaints or concerns, and provide information where it is reasonably requested and they can do so lawfully.
rics requires that the nature and extent of your pii must be appropriate for your business. it must meet the following 6 requirements.
- an ‘each and every claim basis or aggregate plus unlimited round the clock reinstatement basis
- RICS’ minimum policy wording or more comprehensive wording. As a minimum, you should ensure that policy wording is written on a full civil liability basis and the minimum level of indemnity based on the firm’s turnover in the previous year.
- the maximum level of uninsured excess (part of claim the firm must pay itself)
- be fully retroactive (pii policies work on a claims made basis - claims that are made during the period of insurance regardless of when the negligent act occurred
- all policies must be underwritten by an rics approved insurer
- cover for all past and present employees to protect firm from work that has been carried out in its name
list 5 key points from the RICS professional statement ‘client money handling’ 1st ed (2019)?
- client accounts must be kept separately
- the word ‘client’ is on the bank account and cheque book
- a client must be able to have their monies on demand
- payment of interest is agreed with a client and accounts must be kept in credit
- accurate records are kept with a running balance available
What is the purpose of the RICS ethics decision tree?
provides a framework of questions which members should ask themselves when facing a situation in which they are asked to act in a potentially unethical manner or situation. It encourages considering the legality of one’s actions and their consistency with the rules of conduct, as well as to consult with appropriate people and have clear reasoning before making decisions. The ultimate test is whether members would be content to have their decisions or actions made public.
what are the three levels of disciplinary action?
- action by head of regulation
- regulatory tribunal
- appeal panel
can you give 3 example behaviours from rule 1 of the rules of conduct? (integrity)
- members and firms do not mislead others by their actions or omissions
- members and firms do not allow themselves to be influenced improperly by others or by their own self-interest
- members and firms are open and transparent with clients about their fees and services
how is the rics currently governed?
under the terms of its royal charter by various internal councils, boards and associations. the governing council has 25 members and runs the rics providing management and strategic direction.
the regulatory board, management board and various committees report to the governing council . there are 17 specialist professional groups covering property, land and construction. each professional group has an elected board and is responsible for outlining standards of competence and practice.
what does the RICS guidance note on complaints handling (2016) state?
- a firm’s written CHP must be approved by the RICS
- always notify PII insurers as soon as there is a complaint to avoid negligence claim
- CHP should be issued to client alongside terms of business
- complaints log must be maintained
- firms must include RICS approved ADR mechanism within CHP
define the rics global professional statement on conflicts of interest (2017)
mandatory statement that states a member must not advise or represent a client where doing so would involve a conflict of interest or significant risk of a conflict of interest, other than where all those who are or may be affected have provided their informed consent.
can you give 3 example behaviours from rule 3 of the rules of conduct? (quality service)
- Members and firms understand clients’ needs and objectives before accepting any professional work.
- Members and firms agree with clients the scope of the service to be provided and its
limitations, and timescales for the work. - Members and firms communicate with clients and others clearly and in a way they can
understand.