Consultation on draft guidance for the Architects Code of Conduct - Tranche two

Overview

Background

Professionalism lies at the heart of architectural practice, underpinning the trust placed in architects by clients, colleagues, and the wider public. Professionalism is about more than technical competence - it encompasses a commitment to ethical decision-making, accountability, and the responsible exercise of professional judgement.

Under the Architects Act, the Architects Registration Board (ARB) is required to publish a code setting the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of all persons on the Register of Architects, and to keep that code under review. ARB meets this requirement through the publication of the Architects Code of Conduct and Practice, otherwise known as the Architects Code.

The Architects Code is a positive statement of what professionalism and ethics mean to architects. It explains in clear terms the behaviours and high standards that all architects are expected to meet.

ARB has now published a new version of the Architects Code. The new version of the Code will become effective on 1 September 2025; the current (2017) version will remain effective until that date.

Guidance

The new Code is supported with guidance for how architects can apply the Standards in more specific contexts and in relation to particular topics. Draft guidance is being published and consulted on in phases.

We have already consulted on, and now published, guidance on:

• Professional indemnity insurance
• Dealing with complaints
• Terms of engagement

This consultation

We are now publishing draft versions of three further guidance documents for consultation. 

The draft guidance documents we are consulting on in this tranche are:

• Managing conflicts of interest
• Managing finances appropriately
• Raising concerns and whistleblowing

This consultation will run for six weeks and will close on Thursday 31 July 2025. 

Remaining guidance

This is the second of three consultations; further guidance documents will be published in tranche three as outlined below. These will be published for consultation later this year. 

*Guidance already exists and will be reviewed and updated