New ARB Code of Conduct – A New Dawn

This article examines the new Code of Conduct for Architects.

In 2024, there was a consultation by the Architects Registration Board (“ARB”) for a new Code of Conduct and Practice for Architects.

The ARB identified that building safety was one of their considerations behind the changes, since they explained that the final Grenfell Inquiry report had highlighted significant concerns about principles of professionalism, such as the importance of safety and appreciating the limit of personal competence. The previous version of the ARB Code had been in place since 2017.

An updated version of the Architects Code of Conduct and Practice was then published by the ARB (“the Code”), which came into force on 1 September 2025. The ARB has moved away from their previous twelve standards and has created a principles-based framework instead.

The Six Principles

The Code identifies six overarching principles that architects should adhere to, as listed below

1. Honesty and Integrity – architects should use impartial judgment based on evidence; promote their businesses in a manner that is responsible and accurate; declare and manage any conflicts of interest; be clear and honest about inducements offered or received; and cooperate with ARB investigations or inquiries.
2. Public Interest – architects need to improve environments in the projects that they work on; protect the health and safety of individuals; challenge and report actions that may have a negatively impact on people or the environment; and refuse to complete work that would require them to act against the Code’s principles.
3. Competence – architects are required to acknowledge their own limits and work according to the level of their competence; keep up to date with standards and good practice; obtain and learn from feedback; make sure that anyone that they engage on their behalf is competent; and support the professional development of individuals that they have a responsibility for.
4. Professional Practice – architects should provide their clients with clear and understandable written terms of engagement prior to undertaking work; plan and manage work in a timely manner; ensure that there are enough resources and capacity available for services to be provided; have procedures in place for the regular monitor and review of projects; keep accurate records of their work and decisions; and maintain the confidentiality and security of information that they are responsible for.
5. Communication and Collaboration – architects must communicate in a manner that is tailored to their audience; understand and confirm clients’ initial requirements before agreeing to work; clearly explain their role to clients and manage expectations of others involved in projects; update clients in a timely manner about any issues that can have an impact on the cost, time, or quality of projects; and proactively collaborate with other professionals involved in projects
6. Respect – architects need to be polite and considerate; demonstrate a dedicated approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion in relation to their design work and relationships with others; and contribute to an inclusive working environment. 

ARB Guidance for Architects

Guidance for how architects can apply the principles in more specific contexts and in relation to particular topics are additionally available. Draft guidance is being published and consulted on in phases. There are presently guidance documents available on the following topics:

• Dealing with Complaints;
• Professional Indemnity Insurance;
• Terms of Engagement;
• Managing Conflicts of Interest;
• Managing Finances Appropriately; and
• Raising Concerns and Whistleblowing.

There will additionally be guidance documents produced on the below topics:

• Building Safety;
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion;
• Leadership;
• Mentoring; and
• Sustainability.

Key points/Practical Impact 

The conduct of architects underpins their professional integrity and will now be assessed against these broad principles when they are faced with complaints and regulatory actions. This can be beneficial to architects when compared to being judged against specific rules, since architects will be provided with more flexibility in terms of how they can demonstrate that they have acted in compliance with the principles.

However, it can also pose a risk to architects as there can be a wider scope for criticism and arguably – as we have seen in other areas, such as when the approach for solicitors moved this way – increase the scope and need for interpretation: both by the individual architect in their day-to-day practice, but also by their regulator on those occasions where the conduct of architects comes to be assessed.

From recent architects’ disciplinary cases we have worked on, criticisms have been made of architects for the lack of compliance with the principles, such as failing to provide adequate written terms of engagement, not acting in the best interests of their clients and failing to respond to clients’ complaints within a reasonable timeframe. Architects are therefore not only being held accountable in relation to technical failings, but also immediately facing criticism in relation to these new principles. Often matters such as communication and client care – which in theory at least can be so easily avoided – but in (the business of day-to-day) practice can be much harder to remember to manage – again and again crop up, and architects should be encouraged to reflect on this, their approaches and procedures. In our experience, just a short period of careful reflection and a few minor changes to how architects conduct their practice can make a big difference at key moments. 

Indeed, Architects should reflect on their day-to-day practices with the principles in mind to determine if any adjustments need to be made. It would be helpful for firms to check their standard engagement letters, internal policies and staff training to confirm that they are working in accordance with the principles. We would also recommend that whenever architects are adhering to the principles throughout the projects that they work on, these are recorded in writing such as through email correspondence or documentation issued to clients. This will ensure that there is sufficient written evidence available which can be used to support an architect’s position in a regulatory dispute if needed.

Weightmans have an enviable track record of successfully assisting architects in regulatory proceedings and stand ready to help our clients (existing and new) on any such issues. We also are regularly engaged by firms to assist them with the sort of proactive reassessment of practice encouraged above and are on call to assist if this is required.