London Architect Fined for Unacceptable Professional Conduct

AT A HEARING hearing of the Architects Registration Board’s (ARB) Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), a London-based architect, Pol Gallagher of ZAP Architecture in Stratford was fined £2,500 for unacceptable professional conduct.

The PCC heard that Gallagher had been instructed to complete the renovation and redevelopment of a Grade II listed property in central London.

Unacceptable Professional Conduct

At the hearing the architect denied allegations that he failed to carry out work without undue delay, failed to return documents and/or property to which the client was entitled, failed to adequately engage in the handover process, failed to make appropriate arrangements to manage the project in his absence and failed to produce work with due skill, care and attention.

However, Gallagher did admit that he had failed to deal with a complaint appropriately and failed to cooperate with his regulator. He also admitted that these amounted to unacceptable professional conduct.

The architect’s client told the Committee that there were delays with the planning department and meetings had been arranged but not attended by the architect. There were subsequent delays when Gallagher repeatedly failed to keep in contact with his client, which led to several aspects of the project being unsatisfactory in the opinion of the client, who eventually made a complaint to both the architect and ARB.

London Architect Fined

The Committee found Pol Gallagher’s evidence lacked credibility and was inconsistent with other evidence and documents presented during the hearing. It found the architect guilty of all allegations apart from failing to produce work with due skill, care and attention.

In ordering the £2,500 fine the PCC took into account Pol Gallagher’s previous good record, his personal circumstances at the time of the events and his reflection and steps taken to remedy his failings. It also saw a number of positive testimonials.