Consultation on draft guidance for the Architects Code of Conduct - Tranche two
Feedback updated 3 Nov 2025
We asked
The 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 Draft guidance is being published and consulted on in phases.
The first tranche of guidance covers the topics of Dealing with Complaints, Professional Indemnity Insurance and Terms of Engagement. Guidance for these topics was consulted on between 26 February and 09 April 2025 and is now published.
This second tranche of guidance covered topics of Managing Conflicts of Interest, Managing Finances, and Raising Concerns and Whistleblowing.
You said
The consultation was open for six weeks between 19 June and 31 July 2025. During that time, we received 11 responses.
There were some useful drafting suggestions for how the guidance could be improved, including adding further information on when architects should report themselves to ARB (within the Raising Concerns guidance) and providing specific examples of how conflicts of interest should be manged.
There were no fundamental objections to any of the content in the guidance.
We did
The finalised guidance has been published and can be accessed here:
https://arb.org.uk/architect-information/architects-code-standards-of-conduct-and-practice/
Published responses
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
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:
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:
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.
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Tranche 1 |
Tranche 2 |
Tranche 3 |
|
Professional indemnity insurance |
Managing conflicts of interest |
Building safety |
|
Dealing with complaints |
Managing finances appropriately |
Equality, diversity and inclusion |
|
Terms of engagement |
Raising concerns and whistleblowing |
Leadership |
|
|
|
Mentoring |
|
Sustainability* |
*Guidance already exists and will be reviewed and updated
Audiences
- Anyone from any background
Interests
- Competence
- Equality Diversity and Inclusion
- Professional Standards
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