CODE OF PRACTICE
ASSOCIATION OF BUILDING
CONSULTANTS INCORPORATED
(South Australia)
This
Code of Practice is to be observed and practised by all members. It is a code of ethics for the protection of
Building Consultants and their clients, which maintains the prestige of the
Association. The confidentiality and
responsible nature of a Building Consultant's duties requires the upholding of
this Code of Practice and the enhancement of the profession.
1.
In all business dealings, a member shall act
honestly at all times.
2.
All dealings by members with clients, the public
generally, the Building Industry, other Building Consultants and the legal
profession, shall be treated as confidential and privileged.
3.
No member shall conduct himself or herself in
such a manner or practise under any name or title as is, in the opinion of the
Association, prejudicial to his or her professional status, or to the
reputation of the Association.
4.
A member shall generally specialise in Building
Consultancy and should generally not be engaged in building contracting.
5.
A member shall perform his or her duties in a
diligent and conscientious manner, and with proper regard to his or her duties
to his or her client.
6.
A member shall at all times make full disclosure
to his or her client of any financial or other interest that the member has in
any transaction in relation to which he or she is acting for the client.
7.
It shall be the duty of a member to ensure that
neither he or she personally, nor a partner or employee of a business of which
he or she is a member knowingly acts for two or more parties with conflicting
interests, without first disclosing the relevant facts to each of the parties.
8.
A member shall not advise upon matters in which
he or she is not trained or qualified.
9.
A member shall not unfairly criticise any other
Building Consultant, nor perform his or her duties in a manner likely to cause
a needless disagreement or controversy, or bring the profession of Building
Consultancy into disrepute.
10.
A member shall not solicit business from a known
client of another member. It shall be
improper to charge a reduced fee in order to attract business away from another
member.
11.
A member shall at all times charge a fair and reasonable
fee, for his or her services performed.
12.
Members shall strive to be informed at all times
in regard to the law, including proposed legislation, other essential facts and
public policies relating to Building Consultancy.
13.
Members should attempt at all times to
disseminate information of common interest, particularly matters of unusual
import to other members, but not in a manner so as to detract from a Building
Consultant's obligation to treat his or her client's business as confidential.
14.
Members are urged to carry professional
indemnity insurance.
15.
A member shall at all times be responsible for
the actions of his or her employees in their business conduct, in accordance
with this Code of Practice.