Successful Prosecution for ARB

Successful Prosecution for ARB (18/01/2005)

ARB has successfully prosecuted Douglas Sutherland for misuse of the title “architect”. Mr Sutherland had been removed from the Register in March 2003 for non-payment of the retention fee.

The case was heard in Loughborough Magistrates Court on 4 January 2005. The Court fined Mr Sutherland a total of £500, and ordered him to pay a contribution to costs of £480.

The matter had been referred to ARB by Anstey Parish Council in Leicester.

Speaking after the hearing, a spokesman for ARB said:

“This case underlines the importance of maintaining registration. Although Mr Sutherland was appropriately qualified, he was not registered with ARB, and therefore not entitled to call himself an architect. By doing so, he was wilfully misleading his client.

ARB’s commitment to dealing with cases of title abuse remains firm, and we will continue to pursue with vigour those individuals who unlawfully call themselves “architect”.

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Notes

1. ARB is not responsible for setting the levels of fines or costs; this is a matter entirely for the magistrates.

2. Moneys raised from fines are paid to HM Treasury, not to ARB

3. For further information, please contact Alan Peacock, Regulation Manager, on 020 7580 5861, or by email on

alanp@arb.org.uk