Professional Conduct Committee fines architect for failing to respond to correspondence

Professional Conduct Committee fines architect for failing to respond to correspondence (07/03/2007)

At a Hearing of the Architects Registration Board’s Professional Conduct Committee in London on 28 February 2007, architect Patricia Patel of Islington, North London, was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct for failing to respond to correspondence, and fined £1000.

The Committee heard that the Board had written to Mrs Patel on numerous occasions requesting that she confirm that her work was covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance. After reminders were repeatedly ignored the matter was brought before a Professional Conduct Committee Hearing on 24 January 2007, which the architect chose not to attend. That Committee decided to adjourn the case to the 28 February to give Mrs Patel a further chance to make representations, which she did.

The PCC found Mrs Patel guilty of unacceptable professional conduct in that she had failed to handle correspondence properly concerning her compliance with the Architects Code of Conduct, in breach of Standard 12 of that Code.

Peter Verdin, the Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee, indicated that the Committee had been impressed by what Mrs Patel’s employer had said in her support at the Hearing but said:

“Her neglect has caused the Board significant expense and inconvenience. But I want to stress that the expense is an expense on the profession. We have heard what Mrs Patel has said, but we regard this as a serious professional failure.”

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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)

All registered persons are annually required to complete a Statement of Compliance; a tick box form that confirms their status with regards to Professional Indemnity Insurance

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.