Professional Defence Solicitors for Surveyors
If you are a surveyor facing a regulatory investigation or disciplinary hearing by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), JMW’s experienced professional defence solicitors are ready to defend your case.
Our specialist professional regulation solicitors have many years of experience in corresponding with regulators as part of investigations they are carrying out. Our extensive knowledge in this area means we are well placed to offer tailored legal advice to defend you.
We understand how damaging a regulatory investigation can be for your future career progression, as well as the emotional impact this can have on you and your family. This is why we are dedicated to working tirelessly with you every step of the way to provide support and achieve the best possible outcome.
Speak to JMW Solicitors about a RICS investigation by calling 0345 872 6666, or fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.
If your matter is urgent, contact our 24-hour legal helpline on 0345 872 6666 to access expert legal advice whenever you need it.
How JMW Can Help
Our expert solicitors will provide high-quality and practical legal advice relating to your rights and responsibilities, with the aim of helping you to make the best choices throughout the process of a RICS investigation.
We have many years of experience in working with surveyors to defend them against disciplinary hearings brought by RICS. We provide legal advice and assistance to RICS members and RICS-regulated firms whose professional conduct has been brought into question.
JMW can help with:
- RICS investigations
- Responding to an initial complaint
- Referral to the RICS disciplinary panel
- Sanctions and appeals
We are dedicated to ensuring that you receive the strongest defence for your case. We care a great deal about our clients, and work tirelessly to obtain the best possible outcome for each individual.
Our solicitors have handled cases where surveyors have been accused of:
- Misconduct - such as failure to follow RICS’ Rules of Conduct or professional standards, or actions and character that threaten to damage the public’s confidence in surveyors
- Serious incompetence - including partaking in work for which the individual or firm has insufficient training or experience, putting the safety of the public at risk; a failing that could cause a significant loss to the public; or failure to implement systems to ensure that work is done safely
An investigation can be time-consuming and disruptive to a surveyor’s career, which means it is vital that legal assistance is sought as soon as you can after receiving notification of an investigation.
What Our Clients Say
Professional Regulation FAQs for Surveyors
When is RICS most likely to launch an investigation?
According to RICS, not every breach of rules and standards warrants the launch of an investigation. However, serious allegations make it more likely that an investigation will be launched.
Initially, the regulatory body will determine whether the alleged breach is serious enough to constitute “misconduct” or “serious professional negligence”, before then determining whether it would be in the public interest to investigate.
RICS is more likely to launch an investigation if it involves the following:
- Dishonesty or a lack of integrity
- Deliberate acts that put the safety of the public at risk
- A member or firm putting their own interests, or those of a third party, before the interests of a client
- Serious failures to meet RICS’ professional standards
- Failure to keep clients’ money safe
What happens if I am under investigation?
If the information provided to RICS suggests there has been misconduct, the regulatory body will contact the member for more information and give them an opportunity to explain their actions.
The response will be reviewed alongside any information gathered to determine whether there is credible evidence that rules or standards outlined by RICS have not been upheld. Following this, the body will assess the seriousness of the misconduct to determine whether it would be in the public interest to take action.
What happens at the RICS Disciplinary Panel?
If RICS opts to refer your case to the RICS Disciplinary Panel, it is essential that you speak to a solicitor. The regulatory body will refer a matter to its panel to consider imposing interim measures when the alleged breach of standards is considered to be serious enough to restrict the activities of the member or firm in order to protect the public interest.
The Disciplinary Panel, which is usually held in private, will not seek to reach a decision on the overall outcome of the investigation. The panel will consider whether any interim action is needed, pending the conclusion of the overall investigation.
Talk to Us
For high-quality legal advice on protecting you and your company against disciplinary action following a RICS investigation, contact us today on our 24 hour helpline on 0345 872 6666, or fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.
