The Powers and Duties of the Architects Registration Board: Summary of Counsel’s Opinion

The Powers and Duties of the Architects Registration Board: Summary of Counsel’s Opinion (10/11/2003)

Monday 10 November 2003

For some months there has been speculation amongst some people, reflected in the architectural press, about ARB’s powers and duties. As has already been announced, the Board concluded at its meeting in September 2003 that it has acted, and continues to act, in accordance with the Architects Act 1997. In addition, the Board decided to release a summary of the Opinion of Mr Timothy Dutton QC, which it had obtained about whether the Architects Act authorised the Board to act as it has done. (The full legal advice is not being published because of its privileged legal status.)

Chairman Humphrey LLoyd said:

“Registration of architects is a privilege conferred upon the profession by Parliament, which in turn requires that an architect is a person who has met and will continue to meet educational and professional standards set to protect the public and to safeguard the reputation of the profession. The Board will continue to serve those allied interests. The reputation for competence and reliablity which architects now enjoy and which they deserve to continue to enjoy is vital to our society.”

He continued:

“The Board has however had to spend considerable resources on dealing with this matter, both in terms of time and money. We have now resolved it and are looking forward to continuing to meet our statutory responsibilities in support of the public and the profession.”

Click here to download the summary of Counsel's Opinion (pdf)