NEW LAW COMPELS ARCHITECTS TO BE REGISTERED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30405, 2 April 1964, Page 14

NEW LAW COMPELS ARCHITECTS TO BE REGISTERED

The Architects Act (1963) which came into force yesterday provides for the compulsory registration of all practising architects and imposes monetary penalties for persons convicted of using in business and written word “architect” when the person is not registered as an architect.

The section providing for penalties for improper use of terms implying registration under the act, or membership of the New Institute of Architects, designed principally to protect the public, does not come into force until October 1, 1965.

This period will allow all persons qualified and practising as architects at present

to apply for registration under the act.

The penalties prescribed are fines up to £lOO. The provisions do not apply to the terms “naval architect” and “landscape architect.”

Registered architects must have annual practising certificates after October 1 next year. No registered architect shall then be entitled to act as an architect in any year unless he holds a practising certificate; and any person acting in breach of this section . (55) of the act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine up to £5 for eatery day on which the offence has continued.

Provision is made in the act for the continuation of the practice of an architect who dies by a personal representative (with a view to. the disposal of goodwill) under the management of a registered architect for a period of up to five years. This period can be extended for not more than two years if it can be shown that it is impracticable to dispose satisfactorily of the practice within five years. The act lays down the constitution of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and makes provision for the setting up an Architects Registration Tribunal and Architects Education and Registration Board. The board has .powers to hear complaints against registered architects, hold inqtii-

ties and discipline architects by deregistering them, suspending them up to five years, imposing fines of up to £lOO and censuring them. There is the right of appeal against any disciplinary action of the board to the Supreme CourtSpecial qualifications for registration, transitional provisions, allow for the registration of persons not qualified by degree. There is the right of appeal to the Supreme Court against decisions made in regard to registration by the tribunal.

The. register is open to public inspection. i Membership of the Architects’ ’ Registration Tribunal is '• -reported on page 6.