RICS Investigations

If the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has received a complaint about you or your firm, please contact us. We offer legal support to individual chartered surveyors and firms who are under investigation.

For immediate legal advice, call us now on 0151 909 2380 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

“A week after receiving the final decision of my case in a RICS disciplinary matter and the release of the anxiety of the last 18 months is starting to sink in.

Instructing Jon to act for me has preserved my career and was the best decision I could have possibly made.

From the off, Jon never failed to manage my expectations fairly and accurately. I appreciated his candid and frank manner as well as his expert ability to demystify every complex correspondence quickly and with the utmost professionalism. He identified the key issues with ease and his command of the process and ability to navigate me through it was an invaluable support. He did all of this with an approachability and a refreshing humanity.

In the final stages, his compelling summary of the key facts to the Panel, expertly and professionally prepared and delivered with clinical accuracy, secured me the very best possible outcome and my family and I will forever be grateful to him personally for this.

I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Jon to others – I simply couldn’t have afforded not to have him on my side.”

Surveyor

How do RICS investigations work?

If a client, local authority or contractor has concerns about your conduct as a chartered surveyor, they may choose to report the matter to RICS. This will prompt the following steps –

1.   Review

RICS reviews the information provided and decides whether the complaint indicates misconduct. If not, the matter ends there. If RICS is concerned, it will contact you, asking for more information. Ask us for legal advice before responding to the initial complaint. An eloquent response which dismisses any claims of misconduct can bring the issue to a close.

2.    Investigation

RICS examines the response you provide and any other evidence that has been collected. The intention is to see whether RICS’ rules and standards have been upheld, and whether it is in the public interest to take disciplinary action. Even if disciplinary action is not taken, RICS may still provide you with some advice and to keep an official record of the complaint.

3.  Referral to a Single Member of the Regulatory Tribunal

If RICS believes you have not upheld the rules and standards expected of the profession, and you do not admit the allegations, the case is referred to a Single Member of the Regulatory Tribunal (independent from RICS and the regulatory department).

4.    Referral to the Disciplinary Panel

However, if the alleged misconduct is serious, the matter is referred to the Disciplinary Panel instead. This panel is made up of three members of the Conduct and Appeal Committee. A hearing will be held. After the hearing, the panel decides whether you breached the rules and, if so, what sanctions should be imposed.

If you disagree with the Disciplinary Panel’s decision, you can make an appeal. You have just 28 days to do so.

How we can help

Having your professional conduct called into question is never a pleasant experience. At best, it can be a stressful and disruptive time. At worst, it can harm your reputation and destroy your career. That is why you need the best legal support available.

We represent RICS members who are under investigation. We specialise in regulatory law, and having formerly prosecuted for RICS for many years we have a unique insight into how the process works.

We will review your case before suggesting the best approach. This depends on what stage of disciplinary proceedings you are at. We know how damaging a RICS investigation can be. We will do everything we can to limit the consequences to you and your firm.

Contact us now

If you are under investigation by RICS, please contact us for expert legal advice.

Call us now on 0151 909 2380 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

Alternatively, for further information enter some details in the form below to instantly download our Free Guide.