Part 5Other provision about safety, standards etc

Architects

I1158Architects: Appeals Committee

1

The Architects Act 1997 is amended as follows.

2

In section 1 (the Board)—

a

after subsection (2) insert—

2A

There is to be an Appeals Committee of the Board.

b

after subsection (4) insert—

4A

Part 2A of that Schedule makes provision about the Appeals Committee.

3

In section 4 (registration: general)—

a

in subsection (4)(b) for “refer the application to the Board” substitute “refuse the application”;

b

in subsection (6)—

i

omit “(4) or”;

ii

for the words from “direct” to the end substitute

a

direct the Registrar to enter the person’s name in the Register if it is satisfied that the person is entitled to be registered, or

b

direct the Registrar to refuse the application if it is not so satisfied.

4

In section 6(4B) (notice of refusal of application) for the words from “in the case” to “section 4(2A)” substitute “of an application”.

5

In section 9 (competence to practise) after subsection (2) insert—

2A

A notice under subsection (2) must state reasons for the decision.

6

In Part 5 (general and supplementary) before section 22 insert—

21AAppeals to the Appeals Committee

1

A person may appeal to the Appeals Committee against—

a

a decision to refuse the person’s application for registration, or

b

if the person is a person to whom paragraph (b) of section 9(1) applies, a decision to remove or not to re-enter the person’s name in the Register as a result of section 9(1).

2

The Board may make rules about appeals to the Appeals Committee, including in particular rules about—

a

the period within which any appeal must be made;

b

the way in which an appeal is to be made or withdrawn;

c

the fee that must be paid on the making of an appeal (including circumstances in which that fee may or must be refunded);

d

the procedure to be followed by the Appeals Committee in relation to an appeal;

e

the effect of the making of an appeal, pending its determination, on the decision appealed against.

3

On the determination of an appeal, the Appeal Committee may make any decision that could have been made by the person who made the decision appealed against.

4

The Appeals Committee must, within the prescribed period after determining a person’s appeal, serve on the person written notice of the decision made on that determination.

7

In section 22 (appeals)—

a

in subsection (1)—

i

for paragraph (a) substitute—

a

a decision of the Appeals Committee under section 21A, on an appeal made by the person;

ii

for paragraph (c) substitute—

c

the person’s name not being re-entered in the Register under section 18 as a result of section 9(1);

b

in subsection (2) omit “Subject to subsection (3),”;

c

omit subsection (3);

d

in the heading at the end insert “to the court”.

8

In section 24(2) (service of documents) for “or 15(3)” substitute “, 15(3) or 21A(4)”.

9

In Schedule 1 (the Board and its committees) after Part 2 insert—

Part 2aThe appeals committee

17B

1

The Board may make rules about—

a

the composition of the Appeals Committee;

b

the selection and term of office of members of the Appeal Committee (including casual vacancies);

c

the meetings and procedure (including chairing and quorum) of the Appeal Committee;

d

votes of the Appeal Committee (including providing for a casting vote and the way in which it is to be exercised).

2

Before making rules about the composition of the Appeals Committee, the Board must consult the Secretary of State.

10

In Part 4 of that Schedule (general provisions), after “Professional Conduct Committee”, in each place it occurs, insert “, the Appeals Committee”.