THE ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION BOARD

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT COMMITTEE

Held at

The Cliffords Inn Conference Centre
Cliffords Inn, Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1LD

on

Wednesday 21st February 2007

Present

MS ANGELA DEACON
(In the Chair)
MS BARBARA SAUNDERS
MR GEORGE OLDHAM

MR SIMON HOWARD
(ARB)

         
MR SJ BATTERSBY appeared as CLERK TO THE COMMITTEE

JOHN WILLIAMS (of Bankside Law) appeared for the Board

MR ANTONY appeared in person

IN THE MATTER OF
NIC ANTONY
Registration No 067342K

Transcript from a Tape Recording
by Harry Counsell & Co.
(Incorporating Cliffords Inn Conference Centre)
Clifford's Inn, Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1LD
Telephone:  020 7269 0370
Fax:  020 7831 2526

DECISION

THE  CHAIRMAN:  Mr Antony, we have reached our decision.
The panel noted that Mr Antony has admitted both charges,
1) Contrary to standard 8.3 of the Architects Registration Board’s Architects Standards of Conduct & Practice November 2002 and section 3 of the guidelines issued by the Architects Registration Board November 2001 - I will just read section 8.3 -
          ‘Without limiting an Architect's duty to maintain professional indemnity cover which is adequate and appropriate for the work the Architect is undertaking, Architects must maintain, in any event, minimum cover in accordance with the Board's guidelines on professional indemnity insurance issued from time to time and provide such evidence in such form as the Board may require demonstrating compliance with this Standard.’

 - and section 3 of the guidelines, Run-off Cover -
‘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. Run-off cover may be provided under the policy of a continuing practice, or an individual policy may be required. Architects should continue to assess their need for run-off cover each year until they are satisfied that there is no possibility of a claim being made against them.’

- in that prior to taking his career break, he failed to arrange run-off cover, and contrary to standard 8 of the Architects Registration Board’s Architects Code Standards of Conduct & Practice November 2002 ‘Architects should not undertake professional work without adequate and appropriate professional indemnity insurance cover’, and, contrary to section 3 of the guidelines as already mentioned, he failed to arrange professional indemnity cover on resumption of his career.

The Committee accepted that he is guilty of both charges, but was impressed by his remorse and apology and the way in which he conducted his case. In the circumstances therefore, the Committee has decided that a fine of £750 is the appropriate penalty. That is our decision.
MR ANTONY: Okay.
THE CHAIR: Have you anything to say; are you able to pay the fine?
MR ANTONY:  Yes.
THE CHAIR: Immediately?
MR ANTONY: Yes.
THE CHAIR:  The fine is payable within 28 days. You are now free to go.
MR ANTONY: Thank you very much.