Publishing of ARB Disciplinary Order on ARB Website

Dear Registered Architect,

I am writing to update you on the recent decision of the Architects Registration Board, HKSAR ("ARB") regarding the publication of ARB disciplinary order for registered architects (“RAs”).

Under section 28(1)(a)and(b) of Architects Registration Ordinance (“ARO”), the ARB “shall publish a copy of the order ........ in at least one English and one Chinese language newspaper circulating daily in Hong Kong” and “may publish the order ....... in any other publication or manner as the Board thinks fit.”

In response to the rising call from the public for openness and transparency and in line with the allied local and overseas professional registration bodies, the ARB has resolved, apart from section 28(1)(a), to also publish on her official website any disciplinary order(s) made under section 24(1)(a),(b),(c),(d) or (e) of ARO
1. for 6 months, or
2. in case such appeal against the disciplinary order has been made, for 6 months only after the appeal is finally determined.

The said measure will take effect starting from 1 October 2015.

Kindly note that the ARB is committed to continuously enhance its statutory duties under ARO for the registration of RAs and the disciplinary functions for compliance, which is of great importance to our profession.

Thank you for your kind attention.


Rita Cheung (Mrs.)
Registrar

Encl. - extract of Section 24(1)(a),(b),(c),(d) and (e) of ARO