Core curriculum topic: Legal, regulatory and statutory compliance

To help you gain the skills you need to practise architecture now and in the future as a RIBA Chartered Member, we have defined 10 mandatory core curriculum topics to address through CPD.

The topic Legal, regulatory and statutory compliance covers understanding and keeping up to date with the legal, regulatory and policy frameworks underpinning business, architecture and construction. The topic also covers having the knowledge and skills to apply these across the relevant aspects of the other CPD Core Curriculum topics.

Legal, regulatory, and statutory compliance

What follows is not a complete list: it represents key legislative highlights from the other CPD Core Curriculum topics. Members outside the UK would need knowledge of and competence in the legal and regulatory framework of the city, country and region in which you live and practice.

General

Building Regulations and Approved Documents
British Standards
Building Safety Act (forthcoming)
Construction Product Safety legislation (forthcoming)

Architecture for social purpose

Employment law
The Equality Act 2010
Modern Slavery Act 2015
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO)
Special Educational and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA)

Health, safety, and wellbeing

Statute and the regulatory environment (legislation under the Building Act and Health and Safety at Work Act)
CDM Regulations 2015, especially regulations 8,9 and 11
The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Work at Height Regulations 2005
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

Business, clients and services

Intellectual property rights, copyright law
Insurance, employers, PI and liability
Professional liability and indemnity
Insurance warranties
Obligations to stakeholders and third-party rights
Employment legislation
Workplace pension provision
Risk management strategies
Data protection and data management

Building conservation and heritage

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
NPPF and government policy
Fire safety strategy and legislation
Statutory consents, requirements and processes
Enabling Development and the Conservation of Heritage Assets
UNESCO conventions and recommendations

Places, planning and communities

Statutory instruments
Town and Country planning regulations
Acts of Parliament
The Housing and Planning Act
The Environmental Protection Act
Infrastructure Act
Localism Act
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act
General Permitted Development Order (GPDO)
The London Plan
Assets of Community Value
National Planning Policy Framework
National Planning Policy Guidance
S106 (Section 106) obligations
Community Infrastructure Levy
Building Control
Community Right to Build Order
The Party Wall Act

Procurement and contracts

WTO GPA (World Trade Organisation Government Procurement Agreement)
EU Directive 2014/24
Public Contract Regulations 2015 and what it allows and requires
The Social Value Act
Small Businesses and Enterprise Bill
English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland Regulations and authorities standing orders

Sustainable architecture

Primary legislation (acts or orders) such as

Clean Air Act
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act
Climate Change Act
Energy Act
Environmental Protection Act
Flood and Water Management Act
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act
Water Resources Act
Wildlife and Countryside Act

Secondary legislation (regulations) and standards such as

Relevant Building Regulations such as L1 and L2 and the devolved nations’ equivalents
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations
Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations.
BS EN 15978:2011 Sustainability of Construction Works. Assessment of environmental performance of buildings. Calculation method
BS EN 15804:2012 Environmental product declarations.
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations
Site Waste Management Plan Regulations
Town and Country Planning Regulations (environmental impact assessment) (England and Wales)
SUDS legislation and the need to respond to predicted future flood conditions
Code for Sustainable Homes
PAS 1192
ISO 20400: Sustainable Procurement Standard

Find CPD on this topic

You must take two hours of CPD on this topic every year.

Find RIBA accredited CPD on Legal, regulatory and statutory compliance through RIBA Academy.

Related courses include:

Podcasts, videos, articles, and other offers can also contribute towards your CPD requirements.