Professional Practice Flashcards
What is the purpose of the RICS?
- Regulate and promote the surveying profession
- Maintain the highest educational and professional standards
- Protect clients and consumers via a strict code of ethics
- Provide impartial advice and guidance
What is the purpose of the Royal Charter?
- Changes a body from a collection of individuals into a single legal entity
- Written description of the RICS’ powers (e.g. self-regulation) and obligations (e.g. advancement of knowledge, appointment of a Governing Council etc.)
- Requires the RICS to develop the profession for the public advantage
- Allows members to use the term ‘chartered’ in their job title
What are bye-laws?
A list of laws applied internally using powers granted by the Royal Charter (aka the RICS’ constitution)
Explain the relationship between the Privy Council and the RICS.
- Privy Council - a body set up in the early days of the monarchy to advise the king/queen on matters of state and not put before parliament
- Any changes to the bye-laws have to be approved by the UK Government, through the Privy Council, even if the changes have already been approved by a majority vote of RICS members
What is the RICS Governing Council?
- Manages the Royal Charter Obligations, setting direction and strategy
- Establishes the Regulatory Board, Management Board and other committees (e.g. Audit Committee)
How is the RICS Governing Council elected?
- Elections are held every two years and are open to all FRICS, MRICS and AssocRICS members
- Comprises of members from world regions, specific countries, regions of England, the professional groups, Matrics and members as a whole
- All Members can vote in the whole membership category
- For geographical seats, only Members based in that geographical area may vote
How many RICS regional boards are there in the UK?
Nine regional boards:
- East Midlands
- East of England
- London
- North East
- North West
- South East
- South West
- West Midlands
- Yorkshire and the Humber
How does the RICS communicate with its members?
- Post
- Fax
- Telephone
- In person
What are the functions of professional groups?
- Drafting, reviewing and maintaining professional guidance internationally
- Setting up the standard of professional competence required for successful qualification into RICS membership and the different designations (e.g. chartered building surveyor, chartered facilities management surveyor etc.)
- Contribute to policy formation
- Commission and undertake specialist research
- Contribute to CPD events
What professional groups are there within the RICS?
Three sectors contain different RICS professional groups:
- Land (e.g. environment, minerals and waste, planning and development etc.)
- Property (e.g. valuation, facilities management, residential property etc.)
- Construction (e.g. building surveying, building control, project management, quantity surveying etc.)
How many professional groups can a member of the RICS belong to?
- A member is automatically attached to the professional group through which they qualified (e.g. building surveying) as part of the annual subscription, i.e. their primary professional group
- To use an alternative designation of a specific professional group, the member must have achieved the relevant RICS qualification through that group
What is RICS Matrics?
- Established to support, develop and provide networking for its members, who are either entering or not long qualified in the surveying profession
- Organises networking opportunities, charity events and CPD, as well as providing a voice for individuals new to the profession
What is Lion Heart?
- Charity funded through past and present RICS members
- Provides support to members (past and present) and their families, including financial support, health and wellbeing packages and work-related support
What is the BCIS and what is its relationship to the RICS?
- Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) is published by the RICS
- It provides independent cost and price information for key areas in the construction industry
Who is the current RICS President?
Timothy Neal FRICS - RICS President