Code of Conduct

The code of conduct is a document that sets out and explains the standards of professionalism conduct and practise which the Royal Institute of British Architects requires of all its members. This code is applied to all members whether or not they are working in a traditional architectural practise or have followed a different career path, such as in a multidisciplinary organisation, academia or a construction company. This code applied to all individual RIBA members nationally and internationally. 

 

The purpose of this code is to promote a good conduct and best practise. It aims to uphold standards through discipline as well as to empower practitioners to reflect critically and to continually strive to improve. Although, if there is a failure to meet the specific duties of the code there will not necessarily give rise to disciplinary proceedings. 

If there is a legal dispute, these cannot be settled through RIBA disciplinary proceedings and all such legal disputes must be dealt with by a competent authority before they may be considered by a professional conduct panel. A complaint or dispute concerning a Member’s contractual performance is very different from a complaint about their professional conduct
or competence. A complaint about contractual performance should preferably be resolved by the member’s own complaints procedure or one of the Alternative Dispute Resolution processes. The RIBA’s disciplinary procedures are unable to provide a solution to specific project or contractual performance disputes. The RIBA’s complaints and disciplinary procedures only deal with professional conduct.

This code of conduct from time to time will be amended and updated to keep up to date with relevant policies. Each member within the architectural firm has their own responsibility in keeping up to date with the code and must observe such amendments and updates as they come into effect.

 

Members within the practise should seek to co-operate and work productively with other professionals to develop relationships of trust and collaborate in an open and honest way. Each member should seek to identify and evaluate risks, take appropriate mitigating actions and share concerns with relevant parties. 

 

 

Discipline within the practise if someone goes against the code of conduct (set by the RIBA):

 

1. Any member who contravenes the code shall in accordance with Byelaw 4 of the institutes charter and Byelaws, be liable to private caution, public reprimand, suspension or expulsion.

2. The power to impose a sanction on a member is exercised by the RIBA’s Professional Conduct Panel on behalf of the institute’s council by delegation of authority.

3. Members conduct outside the practise of architecture may not fall within the remit of the code, unless such conduct generally offends against the honour, integrity and/or reputation of the profession of architecture and RIBA membership

4. A judgement or decision from a court or a competent authority against a member may be considered as conclusive evidence of the facts so found.

 

The Code Example Provision:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principle 1: Integrity

Members shall behave with integrity and shall strive to safeguard and improve the standing, reputation and dignity of the institute and its members in all their professional activities. Members shall consistently promote and protect the public interest and social purpose, taking into account future generations.

1. Impartiality and undue influence.

2. Statements: 

Members may correct such a statement in many ways. It may involve writing to a client to correct a previous statement made to them; issuing a public statement e.g., on a website; contacting a third party or reporting an issue to an appropriate authority such as a Local Authority or Court.

1. Conflicts of interest

Conflicts of interest can arise in many situations. A commonly occurring example of a conflict of interest is an architect on a project also running a separate contractor business which tenders for work on the same project. In this instance, the architect on the project must inform the client that they also run/are involved in the contractor firm tendering for the work so that the client is fully aware of the facts and can make an informed decision in awarding the contract. If the architect’s contractor firm is successful in winning the construction work, the architect must not act in the capacity of Contract Administrator, Employer’s Agent or similar for the client during the construction phase.

1. Confidentiality and privacy

Information which is publicly available or in the public domain is not privileged or confidential information. 

1. Handling client money

2. Bribery and corruption

(a) Bribes are not always direct offers of money, but instead may be more indirect
gifts and incentives, including special offers
of discounts on products, or special access to certain products. There is no clear-cut line on what does or does not constitute a bribe – it
is a question of judgement in the particular circumstances of the case. If you are unsure, begin by asking yourself how you would react
if you found out that another architect had accepted the incentive – does it feel right? Most importantly, record any reasoning and decisions you make about this in writing. 

(b) This provision does not exclude the exchange of small gifts and advantages in the normal course of business – such as promotional gifts or corporate hospitality. The value of any such gifts must not be such that it could exert an improper influence over the recipient. 

(c) Note the Bribery Act 2010: bribery committed anywhere in the world by a UK citizen is a criminal offence. 

7. Criminal conviction /disqualification as a director / sanction 

 

Principle 2: Competence 

Members should continuously strive to improve their professional knowledge and skill. Members should persistently seek to raise the standards of architectural education, life‐long learning, research, training, and practice for the benefit of the public interest, those commissioning services, the profession and themselves. Members should strive to protect and enhance heritage and the natural environment.

1. Skill, Knowledge, Care, Ability

2. Terms of Appointment

The RIBA Professional Services Contracts should be used when appropriate and possible

A member’s duty to check the terms of the contract exists to the extent that amended standard forms of appointment or bespoke terms of appointment are to be used. Most standard from contracts and terms are already rigorously checked for legal accuracy and are considered to constitute an acceptable contractual bargain between the parties.

Member are expected to take ‘reasonable and appropriate steps’

1. Time, Cost, Quality

Keeping the client informed therefore members should have particular regard to satisfying that provision when observing this one

Member should advise their clients how and why to seek advice from a cost consultant or quantity surveyor in respect of estimating and controlling building costs

1. Keeping the client informed

Construction projects are complex
and stressful, and it is therefore important to communicate progress and changes to the client throughout a project, as well as maintaining records of how a project has progressed. Good record keeping can greatly assist Members in the unfortunate event of a dispute or complaint. Any matter which may have an impact on the time, quality or cost of a project (or the services provided by the Member) will be of particular concern to a client and should be clearly identified at the earliest opportunity and notified in writing, upon the Member becoming aware of the issue.

1. Record Keeping 

2. Health and safety

3. Inspection Services

4. Building Performance

Members should use the relevant sections of the RIBA Plan of Work (https://www. ribaplanofwork.com/) to ensure a successful handover of the building. In particular, Members should provide handover information needed
in respect of fire safety (in accordance with the Building Regulations) and the health and safety file (in accordance with the CDM Regulations). 

1. Heritage and conservation

 

 

Principle 3: Relationships

Members shall respect and seek to uphold the relevant rights and interests of others. Members shall treat people with respect and shall strive to be inclusive, ethical and collaborative in all they do. Members shall seek and promote social justice.

1. Copyright

2. Previous appointments

3. Peers

4. Equality, diversity and inclusion

5. Modern Slavery

6. Employment and responsibilities as an employer

7. Competitions 

8. Complaints and dispute resolution

9. Advertising / business names / use of RIBA crest and logo