ARB code of conduct

1 Standards of professional conduct and practice
2 The new ARB Code of Conduct and Practice and how to meet it
3 Previous version of the code
4 Draft update of the code
5 Related articles on Designing Buildings
6 External links

[edit] Standards of professional conduct and practice

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is the independent statutory regulator that regulates the architects’ profession in the UK to ensures standards are maintained. Section 13 of the Architects Act 1997 requires that the ARB issue a code setting standards of professional conduct and practice expected of persons registered as architects under the Act for the benefit of the clients they serve and to maintain public confidence in the profession.

Architects are expected to be guided by the spirit of the code as well as its express terms. Whilst failure to comply with the provisions of the code may not in itself constitute unacceptable professional conduct or serious professional incompetence, it will be taken into account in disciplinary proceedings by the ARB’s Professional Conduct Committee.

On 12 September 2024 following the final Grenfell Inquiry Pase 2 report also published in September (see Grenfell Phase 2 final report for construction at a glance), ARB proposed an new draft Code founded on six Standards, which were selected following research and engagement with both the public and the profession.

[edit] The new ARB Code of Conduct and Practice and how to meet it

The new ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice comes into force in September 2025, the six standards that define professionalism for modern UK architects and how Architects should meet them is described by ARB thus:

[edit] Honesty and integrity

Architects must be honest and act with integrity and will meet the Standard when they:

Use impartial judgment based on the evidence available
Promote their services responsibly and accurately
Declare and manage any conflicts of interest appropriately
Are transparent about any inducements offered or received
Report to ARB any instance where they or another architect may have fallen significantly short of the Standards within this Code
Co-operate with any formal inquiries or ARB investigations

[edit] Public interest

Architects must act in the public interest and in a way that supports the environment and prevents harm to others and will meet the Standard when they:

Use their best endeavours to enhance the environment
Protect the health and safety of those who construct, maintain and use buildings and places
Challenge others where their actions may put people or the environment at risk, and report the matter to an appropriate authority when those risks are not adequately managed
Decline any work which requires them to act contrary to these Standards
Do not knowingly break the law or assist others in unlawful actions

[edit] Competence

Architects must be competent to carry out the work they do and will meet the Standard when they:

Acknowledge and work within the limits of their competence
Ensure they are up to date with current standards and good practice
Adopt a reflective approach to their work by learning from feedback and addressing individual learning needs
Assure themselves of the competence of anyone they engage to carry out work on their behalf
Provide appropriate supervision and sufficient resources to people they engage to carry out work on their behalf
Encourage the professional development of those for whom they are responsible
Maintain their knowledge and understanding of guidance issued by ARB in support of these Standards

[edit] Professional practice

Architects must carry out their work effectively, exercising skill and diligence and will meet the Standard when they:

Provide clear, understandable, written terms of engagement to their clients before commencing work
Plan, monitor and manage their work in a timely manner
Have sufficient resources and capacity to provide their services effectively
Establish processes to ensure that projects are regularly monitored and reviewed
Maintain accurate records of their work and decisions
Protect the confidentiality and security of information for which they are responsible
Ensure their liabilities are covered by adequate and appropriate professional indemnity insurance
Deal with disputes or complaints promptly and courteously
Manage their professional finances appropriately

[edit] Communication and collaboration

Architects must communicate effectively and collaborate with others and will meet the Standard when they:

Communicate in a way that is appropriate to their audience
Understand and confirm their clients’ initial requirements before committing to work
Explain their role to their clients, and manage the expectations of others as to what can be achieved
Communicate to their clients, in a timely manner, any issues that may impact the cost, time or quality of a project
Collaborate proactively with other professionals

[edit] Respect

Architects must treat others with respect and will meet the Standard when they:

Are polite and considerate
Have a committed approach to equality, diversity and inclusion in their approach to designing environments and in their relationships with colleagues, employees, clients and communities
Contribute to a positive and inclusive working environment where unfair discrimination is not tolerated

Each Standard is underlined with examples of how architects can demonstrate their commitment to upholding it. ARB published its analysis of the consultation earlier in 2025. Each of the proposed Standards received strong support from consultation respondents, with the highest levels of agreement on ‘Honesty and integrity’ (agreed by 89% of respondents).

[edit] Previous version of the code

The current version of the code, Architects Code: Standards of Professional Conduct and Practice, came into force on 1 January 2017. This updated the previous 2010 code following consultations with architects, their professional bodies, public interest organisations and others in the regulatory community. It is not intended to be a detailed set of rules, but rather offers a set of principles to be followed, taking into account areas in which architects are most likely to encounter problems.

Twelve standards are described, with further detail provided in supplemental clauses:

Be honest and act with integrity.
Be competent.
Promote your services honestly and responsibly.
Manage your business competently.
Consider the wider impact of your work.
Carry out your work faithfully and conscientiously.
Be trustworthy and look after your clients’ money properly.
Have appropriate insurance arrangements.
Maintain the reputation of architects.
Deal with disputes or complaints appropriately.
Co-operate with regulatory requirements and investigations.
Have respect for others.

Standard 4.4 of the new code addresses architects who fail to provide adequate terms of engagement before undertaking professional work, setting out minimum requirements for written agreements. Standard 9.5 has also been revised, introducing a new restriction preventing architects from entering into a settlement which would prevent a complaint about their conduct or competence being raised with the ARB. This is intended to prevent architects 'contracting out' of their professional responsibilities.

[edit] Draft update of the code

The new draft Code is founded on six Standards, which were decided upon following research and engagement with both the public and the profession. Each Standard is underpinned by explanatory text and supported by examples of the behaviours that ARB would expect to see from an architect meeting that Standard. The six Standards are:

The new draft Code will be further supported by a suite of guidance on how architects can meet the Standards in specific situations and contexts. The proposals for the individual guidance documents can be found on ARB website. The draft Code and the guidance proposals were published for public consultation, in which ARB seeks views of architects, students, learning providers, clients, those who work with architects, and those who use the spaces that architects design.

Open for three months the consultation closed 12 December, following the consultation’s conclusion, ARB analysed responses and considered changes to the proposals with the new Code being finalised along with accompanying guidance in 2025. For further information see article ARB proposals for a new Architects Code.

Alan Kershaw, Chair of the Architects Registration Board, said at the time:

“Architects have a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of everyone in our society. Last week’s report following the Grenfell Tower tragedy highlighted how crucial it is that all professions in the built environment maintain their competence and behave in an ethical way.

The Code of Conduct and Practice provides a compass for architects in their practice and describes the standards and behaviours expected of architects by one another, their clients, and members of the public. We’ve designed this new Code through research with the public and workshops with architects, and we’re now consulting on it so that everyone can have their say.”

As the statutory regulator for architects, ARB has a legal requirement to set a code of conduct and practice. The Code has been drafted to respond directly to the expectations of the public and clients as identified through independent research, and insights shared with ARB by architects and other built environment professionals.