ARB successfully prosecutes Hove man for misuse of the title “architect”

ARB successfully prosecutes Hove man for misuse of the title “architect” (08/11/2006)

On 2 November 2006, Brighton Magistrates fined David Knipe of Braemore Court, Kinsgway, Hove, East Sussex, a total of £500 for breaching Section 20 of the Architects Act. He was also ordered to pay £1,356.23 in costs. He was given 14 days in which to pay.

Mr Knipe, who attended the Hearing, pleaded guilty to four charges of title abuse. Magistrates heard that he had not been registered since May 1991. The matter, which related to Planning Applications to Brighton and Hove Council, was referred to ARB at the end of 2005.

Speaking after the case was heard, an ARB spokesman said:

“It is patently unfair to all architects that an unregistered individual should use a title to which he has no right, in the interests of financial gain. We are pleased to have secured a successful conviction in this case.”

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Notes for Editors

ARB is the statutory body established by Parliament under the Architects Act 1997 to regulate the UK architects’ profession in the public interest. The Act requires ARB (inter alia) to:

• Maintain the Register of Architects (Section 3)

• Prescribe qualifications for entry to the Register of Architects (Section 4)

• Deal with competence to practise (Section 9)

• Issue a Code which lays down standards of professional conduct and practice (Section 13)

• Regulate use of the title “architect” and prosecute those who use it unlawfully (Section 20)

ARB has a Board of 15 members, seven of whom are architects elected by the profession. The remaining eight are members of the public appointed by the Privy Council to represent the interests of consumers and users of architectural services.