RICS - Ethics, Rules and Professionalism Flashcards
How does RICS ensure standards of professional conduct and practice are upheld
RICS has a Rules of Conduct (effective 2nd February 2022)
They are based on ethical principles of honesty, integrity, competence, service, respect and responsibility
Please list the rules of conduct
1) Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations including those to the RICS
2) Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that are services provided by competent individuals who have necessary expertise
3) Members and firms must provide good-quality and due dilligent service
4) Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
5) Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions to prevent harm and maintain confidence in the profession.
Can you provide 5 examples of rule 1 compliance
members and firms must not
1) mislead others by their actions or omissions or by being complicient
2) Firms should have effective processes to identify potential and actual conflicts of interest
3) Be transparent with clients regarding fees and services
3) Do not take unfair advantage of others
4) Do not facilitate any financial crime including money laundering, tax evasion, bribery or corruption
Provide 5 behaviours that comply with rule 2
Members and firms must
1) only undertake work they are competent to do
2) maintain skills and knowledge through regular CPD activities
3)Supervise any employees where required to ensure that these employees have the required skill and knowledge
4) reflect on work undertaken and consider how they may apply decisions made to future work
5) stay up to date and compliant with relevant legislation, codes of conduct and other required technical standards. Applies to all within a organisational structure inc directors
Provide 5 examples of compliance with rule 3
Members and firms must
1) Understand the clients needs and objectives prior to accepting any work
2) agree with client the scope, limitations and timescales of the work
3) communicate with the client clearly and in a way they understand
4) Understand the risk and benefits of using relevant technology
5) Firms have effective assurance processes in place
Provide 5 behaviours to comply with rule 4
Members and Firms must
1) respect the rights of others and treat others with respect
2) do not bully, victimise or harass anyone
3) Check that supply chains are not involved in modern slavery or other abuses
4) work cooperatively with others
5) develop and inclusive culture within the workplace, support equal access and opportunity, address unbias behaviour
provide 5 behaviours that comply with rule 5
Members and firms must
1) support directors, partners, employees who have acted in good faith to report concerns
2) respond to complains made against them promptly and professionally
3) not dissuade complaints from being raised to RICS or anything
4) manage their professional finances appropriately
5) take appropriate action when they consider rules have been breached and report breaches of the rules by themselves or others to RICS
List core professional obligations as detailed in appendix a
Members must
- comply with CPD requirements set out by RICS
- cooperate wit RICS
- promptly provide information reasonably requested by the Standards and Regulations board or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf
- Firms must
- publish their complaints handling procedure which includes alternative dispute resolution provider approved by RICS and maintain complaints log
- ensure all current and past work is sufficiently covered by an appropriate level of professional indemnity cover approved to RICS standards
- must report to RICS any breaches of the Rules of Conduct
- Provide information to the standards and regulations board promptly or to those exercising the delegated authority rights.
Why does RIC publish professional guide and notes and why should they be followed
Should a surveyor face professional negligence or any form of disciplinary proceeding it is key to evidence that they acted with reasonable competence - achieved by RICS standards / guidance compliance
What is the RICS Black book
A collection of technical documents which covers all processes throughout the construction project life cycle. Documents are essential development tools of a junior QS and guides to best practice for more experienced professionals
