Professional Defence Solicitors for Architects

Architecture is a field in which professionals are trusted with a great deal of knowledge and responsibility, which makes it especially damaging when issues are raised by professional regulators. If you are facing a regulatory investigation or disciplinary hearing, JMW Solicitors can help you defend your reputation with expert legal advice.

Our team of professional regulation solicitors have significant experience of dealing and corresponding with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) on their investigations and inquiries, and we are well-placed to provide tailored guidance to help you defend against any unjustified or overly punitive rulings. We will advise you on your legal rights and responsibilities, with the aim of helping you make the right choices.

We understand how damaging these regulatory issues can be to an architect’s wellbeing and livelihood, which is why we will work closely with you and provide pragmatic support to help you achieve the best available outcome.

To speak to JMW about a professional regulation issue with the ARB, call us on 0345 872 6666, or fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.

How JMW Can Help

At JMW, we have many years of experience in working with architecture professionals to overcome regulatory hurdles and defend themselves against actions taken by the ARB, ranging from those accused of professional misconduct to those charged with criminal behaviour.

In all circumstances, we will assess the specific details of the case and provide you with carefully considered legal guidance, based on our strong knowledge of ARB regulatory protocols and your desired outcome. We will then support you through all of your dealings with the regulator, helping you to manage any official correspondence and prepare correctly for any hearings or interviews you are required to attend.

Our expertise in dealing with professional regulatory issues and disciplinary proceedings is considerable, so you can be assured that you will be receiving the best possible advice from JMW. We will make you aware of any legal recourse or defences that can help you to come through this process with as little damage as possible to your career and professional standing.

Our Professional Regulation Services for Architects

The ARB was established in 1997 to regulate the architects’ profession in the UK, and dedicates much of its activity to ensuring that architects operating in the UK meet its standards for conduct and practice, as well as investigating complaints it receives about the competence and behaviour of its members.

A failure to uphold these standards can result in professional disciplinary action being taken by the ARB, which can lead to architects being disciplined internally by their employers or becoming subject to a broader ARB investigation process. If you have been accused of defective work, poor performance or some other breach of the ARB code of conduct, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

At JMW, we can support you throughout any regulatory action or disciplinary proceeding and help you put together the strongest possible case for yourself. We will do so by:

• Providing thorough legal advice on the entire investigation process
• Helping to respond to ARB complaints on your behalf
• Advising and preparing you ahead of any hearings, appeals or police interviews you are required to attend
• Preparing a robust defence and representing you before your regulator, Tribunal or Court

If the professional is found guilty, they risk being fined, formally reprimanded or having their registration either suspended or permanently invalidated, which underlines the importance of getting the right legal support.