Matt - Ethics - Level 1 Flashcards
What are the RICS Rules of Conduct?
Rules that members and firms must follow to achieve the highest level of ethical standards within surveying.
What is Rule 1?
Members and firms must be honest and act with integrity, comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to the RICS.
What is Rule 2?
Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise.
What is Rule 3?
Members and firms must provide good quality and diligent service.
What is Rule 4?
Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion.
What is Rule 5?
Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession.
Can you give me an example of how you’ve followed one of the rules?
When is a time when you’re fallen short of one of the rules of conduct?
I fell short on Rule 3 with a DWP case. I was new to my rotation and for my first case for this type of work, I underestimated the complexity of the case and I missed the deadline as a result.
Whilst not a huge issue and I completed it shortly after, going forward I have always been on top of this work and timely in my manner.
Would you accept a dinner offer from your client?
No I wouldn’t.
Why wouldn’t you accept a dinner offer from your client?
My current employer rules don’t allow me to do this, but even if working for another firm or for myself, accepting the offer of dinner could be misconstrued and offer doubt about my impartiality.
To avoid this scenario, I would politely decline.
What is the RICS’s guidance in relation to gifts and hospitality?
RICS state to never accept gifts or hospitality from a 3rd party supplier or contractor, and that certain types of lavish corporate entertainment could be classified as bribery.
Offering or being offered reasonable and proportionate hospitality such as a meal or sporting tickets will not constitute an offence in RICS eyes as long as this is accurately recorded in a gifts and hospitality register.
What is the VOA’s guidance in relation to gifts and hospitality?
Polite but firm refusal.
VOA employees are only permitted to accept gifts/hospitality of a trivial nature such as food/drink at a public setting where it’s available to other attendees, likewise with certain gifts such as pens or calendars, but these items have to be declared within our internal gifts and hospitality register.
What is bribery?
It is an offer or acceptance of an advantage as an inducement for an action that is illegal, unethical or a breach of trust.
What is the principal legislation for bribery?
Bribery Act 2010
What are the four offences found within the Bribery Act 2010?
1) Offering, promising or giving a bribe to another person.
2) Requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting a bribe from another person.
3) Bribing a foreign public official.
4) Failing to prevent bribery.
What is not prohibited by the bribery act?
Gifts and Hospitality
What is the RICS Decision Tree?
This is a diagram for members and firms to follow when in a difficult situation and unsure on what steps to take.
The diagram will help advise on what steps to take.
What do you do in the event of being offered gifts and hospitality?
I would have regard to my employers policy as well as relevant RICS guidance.
What do you do in the event of being offered a bribe?
Report this immediately to my line manager.
What must members ensure they know about bribery and corruption?
- They must not directly or indirectly offer or accept a bribe.
- Have adequate knowledge of bribery and corruption.
- Must immediately report activity of any bribery and corruption.
Is there any RICS guidance in relation to bribery?
Yes, a Professional Statement called “Countering bribery, corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing.” 1st edition February 2019
What are the 6 principles under the Bribery Act 2010?
- Proportionality
- Top level commitment
- Risk assessment
- Due diligence
- Communication
- Monitoring and review
Can you name any other legislation related to the bribery act?
Money Laundering Regulations 2019
Proceeds of Crime Act 2000
Terrorism Act 2000
What are some steps you could take to identify money laundering?
- Stringent ID checks
- Don’t accept large cash payments over €10,000
- Appoint a money laundering officer
- Keep up to date records
- Perform AML checks on clients
- Provide training for employees on money laundering
What are some of the penalties for money laundering?
- If found to have assisted in money laundering then unlimited fines or up to 14 years in prison
- If found to have tipped off about an investigation then 5 years in prison
What is customer due diligence?
This involves collecting evidence to verify the identity of different types of clients when assessing risks to your business
There is both simplified and enhanced due diligence.
What is client money?
Any money held and received by a firm which doesn’t solely belong to it
Can you give some examples of when you would be required to handle clients money?
- Tenants deposits
- Fee money taken in advance
- Clients money held but due to be paid to contractors
- Service charges
Are you aware of any RICS guidance for handling client money?
Yes, the RICS professional standard: Client money handling (1st edition, October 2019)
How should you handle clients money?
- Hold it in a separate named account
- Must be able to identify the client
- Don’t go overdrawn
- Client can request the money at anytime and it must be returned in a reasonable timeframe
What is a conflict of interest?
A situation where the duty of an RICS member or firm is potentially compromised by the fact you have a material interest at stake in the matter.
Why are you required to check whether you have conflict of interests?
As per the RICS professional standard “Conflicts of interest” 1st edition.
Members are required to not have conflicts of interest so that we can carry out our duties to clients objectively and independently, without interference.
What are the different types of conflict of interest identified by the RICS?
- Own interest (Personal)
- Party (professional)
- Confidential information
What is party conflict?
A situation where the duty of an RICS member or an RICS regulated firm appointed to act in the interests of a client or other party has a conflict with a duty owed to another client or party in relation to the same or related assignment.
What is own interest conflict?
A situation in which the duty of an RICS member or RICS regulated firm appointed to act for a client, conflicts with the interests of that same RICS Member/Regulated firm.
What is confidential information conflict?
A conflict between the duty of an RICS member to provide material information to one client, and the duty of that same RICS member to another client to keep that same information confidential.