Sanctions and Appeals

If the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) of the Architects Registration Board finds you guilty, it can impose certain sanctions. You can make an appeal to the High Court if you disagree with their decision.

If you are being investigated by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), or you want to make an appeal, please contact us. We act on behalf of registered architects who have been accused of unacceptable professional conduct or professional incompetence.

For immediate legal advice, call us on 0151 909 2380, email info@jglaw.co.uk or complete the Free Online Enquiry Form.

What penalties can the PCC impose?

If a complaint is made against you and the ARB believes it warrants further investigation, the case is referred to the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC). There will be a hearing, after which the PCC decides whether you are guilty or not guilty. In this context, guilty means that you have displayed unacceptable professional conduct or serious professional incompetence.

Sanctions can be imposed if you are found guilty. The penalty depends on how serious the offence is, according to the PCC. The potential sanctions include –

  • A formal warning
  • A fine of up to £5,000
  • A suspension from the Register of Architects for up to two years
  • Permanent removal from the Register of Architects

Making an appeal

Such sanctions can have a significant impact on your career. Even a formal warning can have a detrimental effect on your reputation as an architect. If you are removed permanently from the register, you can never call yourself an ‘architect’ again. Evidently, this will be devastating.

However, you can make an appeal to the High Court. You must submit this appeal within three months of the PCC’s conclusion. You can ask the judge to review various issues, including –

  • Whether the PCC had the authority to investigate the complaint
  • Whether the PCC made mistakes
  • Whether the sanctions imposed are excessive

If the High Court upholds your appeal, the judge may make an order he/she deems appropriate. This could result in you receiving a lesser sanction.

How we can help

If you are a registered architect and have received sanctions from the ARB, we can help you. We will guide you through the appeals process, handling every stage on your behalf. This includes making an application to the High Court within the required timeframe, putting a strong legal argument together and presenting your case in court.

We are experts in this area of the law, having previously prosecuted for the ARB for nearly 20 years. We now defend registered architects who are under investigation or who have already been penalised. Thanks to our experience, we know how to succeed in these cases.

Contact us now

For immediate legal advice, call us on 0151 909 2380 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

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