Professional Conduct Committee erases architect for failing to manage his finances prudently

Professional Conduct Committee erases architect for failing to manage his finances prudently (06/08/2008)

At a Hearing of the Architects Registration Board’s Professional Conduct Committee in London on 29 July 2008, John Dowland of Godstone, Surrey was erased from the Register of Architects after being found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

The Committee heard that Mr Dowland had displayed a wilful disregard of his responsibilities. He failed to pay a judgment debt of nearly £35,000 imposed by Epsom County Court in favour of a Mrs Onyut, who had lent him the money in 2004. The Committee was also asked to take into account a further seven unpaid judgment debts, and the fact that Mr Dowland had not reported his bankruptcy to the Board. Mrs Onyut, who gave evidence to the Committee, further alleged that Mr Dowland had reneged on a promise to repay the debt at a rate of £500 monthly.

Mr Dowland argued that his arrangement with Mrs Onyut was a personal one and had no bearing on his fitness to practise as an architect; and that he could not afford to pay the money back as he had been forced into bankruptcy.

However, in finding Mr Dowland guilty of unacceptable professional conduct, the Chairman of the Committee said:

“We cannot overlook the irresponsible behaviour or Mr Dowland in relation to his debts... there seems to have been no attempt by Mr Dowland to satisfy his obligations to other people.”

In the circumstances, the Committee considered the only appropriate penalty to be erasure from the Register.

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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)

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 architects’ services.