Rules of Conduct, Ethics and Professionalism Flashcards
What are the principles of better regulation?
– PACTT. Proportionality (RICS assigns penalties proportionate to the breach);
Accountability (RICS is accountable to its members and to the public);
Consistency (RICS deals with breaches in the same way for all members and across different areas of practice);
Targeting (RICS uses available resources to target all breaches);
Transparency (RICS is transparent with its members and with the public).
What are the 9 RICS rules for members?
Interpretation – the rules apply to all members including student/trainee members;
Communication – RICS will use all necessary methods of communication;
Ethical Behaviour – RICS members are to behave and act in accordance with the 5 Global Ethical Standards, treating others fairly and avoiding conflicts of interest;
Competence – RICS members are to act with due competence and skill and with regard to technical standards.;
Service – members are to provide good service and customer care;
CPD – RICS members are to undertake CPD (24 hours annually (split 50/50 informal/formal) with an ethical area 3 yearly);
Solvency – RICS members are to be personally and professionally solvent;
Information to RICS – members are to provide required information to RICS in a timely manner;
Co-Operation – members are to co-operate with RICS.
What are the 5 Global Ethical and Professional Standards?
Act with Integrity (nothing that impedes professional objectivity; COI & bribes);
Always Provide a High Standard of Service (fulfill TOE, act within area of competence, communicate decision making with client well);
Act in a way that promotes trust in the profession (personal/professional behaviour, fulfil RICS obligations, meet the spirit of the professional standards rather than the letter);
Treat others with respect (be polite and considerate personally and professionally);
Take responsibility (respond promptly and correctly to complaints)
What is the RICS guidance on Professional Indemnity Insurance?
- PII protects consumers as well as the firm
- must be on an ‘each and every claim’ basis
- RICS has wording that must be used in the policy
- the cover must be retroactive (cover previous work and previous employees)
- run off cover - cover must be maintained for 6 years from the firm stopping trading
What is the level of PII must a firm have?
It depends on the firm’s turnover.
Turnover of less than £100k - min. cover of £250k
Turnover of £100-£200k - min. cover of £500k
Turnover over £200k - min. cover of £1m
What are the RICS rules on CPD?
Members must undertake 20 hours per annum, half must be formal (have a verifiable learning outcome). Every third year, CPD must be undertaken that has relation to RICS rules and ethics.
Which rule makes Red Book compliance mandatory?
Rule 4 - competence
What is the difference between formal and informal CPD?
Formal CPD must have a clear learning outcome.
What should you do on first receipt of a negligence claim?
Inform your PI provider; refer the party with the complaint to the firm’s CHP.
What does integrity mean?
Being honest and trustworthy in all that I do.
What do you know about the PS Conflicts of Interest?
- 2017
- 3 parts - PS, guidance, supplementary guidance
- 3 kinds of COI
- do not proceed unless in your prof. judgement, prior informed consent is appropriate and has been given/documented
What does competence mean?
Acting within limits of skill, with due care and dilligence and in accordance with technical standards
What are your obligations in your personal life?
Act in a way that promotes the profession (with integrity); maintain personal solvency
When does a firm have to become registered by RICS?
When 50% or more of the principals are members/fellows.
Can a firm register before 50% of the principals are members/fellows?
Yes - if 25% are and the firm provides surveying services to the public.
What is a contact officer?
The liason between the firm and RICS; submits the annual return.
What rule deals with complaints handling?
Rule 7 - a firm must maintain a complaints handling log and have a CHP. It must include ADR mechanism approved by the Regulatory Board.
What rule covers the incapacity or death of a sole practitioner?
Rule 12 - a locum must continue the business or legally wind it down. RICS must be notified.
What does taking responsibility mean?
Being accountable for all actions, not blaming others and being prepared to do something if something isn’t right.
What does the RICS say about handling client money?
That members and firms should preserve the security of monies entrusted to their care, and keep it in a separately named account which is clearly linked to the client.
Which rule deals with Complaints Handling Procedures and what does it say?
Firms must operate CHP with ADR mechanism approved by the Regulatory Board.
What is a complaint?
Any expression of dissatisfaction.
How would you deal with a complaint?
I would refer the party with the complaint to my firm’s CHP and follow that process. I would notify the firm’s complaints officer and notify the PI insurer.
How does the RICS regulate the profession?
Using the Principles of Better Regulation (PACTT).
Who is the patron of the RICS?
The Queen.
What is the function of the RICS?
To maintain and promote the usefulness of the profession for the public advantage.
What are the benefits of RICS membership?
Market advantage, client confidence, network, recognition.
Who is the President of the RICS?
Kath Fontana
Who i the President Elect?
Clement Lau.
What is the International Ethics Coalition?
Group of organisations including RICS who promote ethical standards and consistency.
Which Rule deals with PI Insurance?
Rule 9
What does Rule 9 for firms say?
That PI insurance needs to be adequate and appropriate, meeting standards approved by the Regulatory Board.
What does fully retroactive insurance mean?
All former work is covered.
On what basis is PI insurance required?
Each and every claim.
What legislation covers bribery?
The Bribery Act 2010.
What are the five offences under the Bribery Act?
Accepting a bribe, giving a bribe, bribing an official, bribing a foreign official, not having systems in place to prevent bribery.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with the Bribery Act?
Up to 10 years in prison for an individual; an unlimited fine for a company.
What are the 6 prevention principles of the Bribery Act?
Due dilligence, risk assessment, proportionality, top down, monitoring and review, communication and training.
What is a bribe?
offering/accepting an advantage as an inducement for an illegal/unethical act.
What should you do if offered a gift?
Take a risk based approach, and politely decline if at all possible. Record on the company gift/hospitality register.
What do RICS members need to do in relation to bribes?
Not offer or accept bribes, comply with the RICS PS, report suspicious activity or a breach to the relevant authorities.
What do RICS firms need to do in relation to bribes?
Not offer/accept bribes, have procedures in place to confirm with the Bribery Act, report any breaches, carry out DD to identify and document risks to the firm, retain info as to how the firm met the PS requirements.
What legislation applies to money laundering?
The Money Laundering Regulations 2019 / EU 6th AML Directive.
What should surveyors do to minimise risk of money laundering?
Client / Customer Due Dilligence - stringent ID checks.
What is money laundering?
Concealing the source of proceeds of illegal activity.
When is Enhanced Due Dilligence necessary?
If more checking / monitoring is required. For example, if a transaction is at a unusually high price.
What do RICS members need to do in relation to money laundering?
No facilitate money laundering; report suspicions to authorities.
What do RICS firms need to do in relation to money laundering?
No facilitate money laundering; report suspicions to authorities; have systems in place to comply with the law; evaluate/review risk and respond to it; verify client identity; understand the nature of transactions; document compliance with the law / RICS PS.
What do RICS firms need to do in relation to complaints handling?
Operate a complaints handling procedure; keep a complaints log.
How do you minimise the risk of complaints?
Be clear in Terms of Engagement as to the scope of work (including what the instruction does not include); only accept instructions where I am competent to do so and am able to undertake it.
Which of the RICS Global Ethical and Professional Standards is particularly relevant to complaints handling?
Take responsibility.
What is a conflict of interest?
A situation where objectivity and impartiality is called into question.
What kinds of conflict are there?
Party conflict, personal conflict, confidential information conflict.
What is a party conflict?
Where you have two clients involved in the same instruction.