The RICS has been forced to apologise to hundreds of surveyors it has disciplined or struck off, and offer them reviews of their cases.
The admission came after the organisation was challenged by barrister Marc Beaumont over using just two panel members, instead of three, to adjudicate on the disciplinary cases.
In a message to 317 members who it had either disciplined or struck off for breaches, it has apologised and offered a fresh review.
All of the cases were ‘paper’ cases where no physical hearing was required, according to the RICS, although it has not said how far back the mistake had stretched.
Around 33 cases where surveyors had not complied with the requirement to undertake 20 hours of compulsory professional development were dealt with in April by two-person panels leading to 19 expulsions.
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Other cases of two-people panel hearings involve those who have received criminal records and been automatically struck off.
A spokesman said: “RICS would like to apologise for this oversight. We pride ourselves on our robust regulatory practices, and are taking urgent steps to ensure that this situation does not occur again.”
The message, sent out last week, said: “We have recently reviewed the procedure adopted in relation to the disciplinary panel that heard your continuing professional development case.
“Following this review we have decided that it could be argued in your case, and in other paper-based hearings, the panel should have consisted of three members rather than two.
“I regret that this has happened and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
“In recognition of this, I want to give you the opportunity to have the decision reconsidered afresh by a three-person panel.”
The RICS said it would not seek costs for a rehearing.
Beaumont, of Windsor Chambers, who specialises in defending chartered surveyors and other professionals in disciplinary hearings, noticed the unlawfully constituted panels and complained to the RICS.
He argued that two-member panels should be void as they were in breach of RICS rules and in breach of the right to a fair trial under the European Convention of Human Rights.
He said: “Striking someone off is the professional equivalent of a death sentence. For this to be done unlawfully is terrible.”
“This regulator should be held to account for what is at best systemic incompetence”.
What is CPD and why can it end a career?
Surveyors accredited by RICS have to undertake and record online a minimum of 20 hours a year of continuing professional development activities, including going to seminars, workshops or other training courses. If they do not, they can face cautions, fines and are ultimately struck off.
In 2015, 2,779 people around the world failed to comply with those rules, although it is not known how many were struck off.
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