Professional Conduct Committee fines architect for failing to carry run-off insurance

Professional Conduct Committee fines architect for failing to carry run-off insurance (27/02/2007)

At a Hearing of the Architects Registration Board’s Professional Conduct Committee in London on 21 February 2007, architect Nic Antony of Finsbury, North London, was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct for failing to hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance cover, and fined £750.

The Committee heard that Mr Antony had failed to arrange “run-off” cover prior to taking a career break or on the resumption of his work. When a former client issued proceedings there was no insurance cover in place. The architect admitted that this failure amounted to unacceptable professional conduct.

In summing up, the Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee, Angela Deacon, stressed the importance of run-off cover, saying:

“Architects are required to arrange run-off cover when they cease to practise. This cover must be maintained for at least six years, and should be held at the highest level in the preceding three years prior to cessation of practise.”

She also noted that Mr Antony currently holds insurance for his current work, and commented that the Committee was impressed by his remorse and the manner in which he had dealt with the complaint.

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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 (among other things) 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)

Standard 8 of the Board’s Code of Conduct and Practice requires that architects maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance. The Board has stated that six years’ worth of run-off cover is required to cover claims from previous projects.

Any moneys from fines imposed by the Professional Conduct Committee are paid to HM Treasury.

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.