RICS Panel of Commercial Arbitrators and Independent Experts

RICS panels exist to meet the demand for appointments. Recruitment to the panels is undertaken where we have identified shortages in either skills or geographic coverage (or where we are likely to have shortages in the future).

We would expect surveyors who wish to join our panels to have at least 10 years post qualification experience and have experience in dispute resolution (usually as representing a client in arbitration or expert determination). We would also expect prospective candidates to be recognised by their peers as having extensive current experience in their claimed area of expertise, whether skill area or specific geographic location. For independent expert, the surveyor should be actively involved in market transactions.

Anyone wishing to join an RICS panel must successfully pass an RICS training course and interview panel. Once on the panel, members are required to carry out CPD specially related to dispute resolution and will be subject to a five-yearly reassessment.

RICS will normally run one expert and one arbitrator course a year and will invite a maximum of 30 candidates. The residential courses are normally held at the University of Warwick Conference Centre, Coventry and the cost would include all accommodation, meals, refreshments, course material, assignment marking and interview.

The arbitrator course is currently £2250+VAT and the expert course is £1200+VAT. In more detail the courses comprise of the following (see page 2)...

Arbitrator Course:

This course takes place over two weekends and commences around 1830 on the Friday evening and will finish at lunchtime on the Sunday. Candidates must be able to attend both weekends.

The Course Directors are two experienced surveyor arbitrators and a guest solicitor will speak on the first weekend and a barrister on the second weekend. The course deals with all the elements of dealing with a rent review arbitrations. It is expected that candidates will already have knowledge and practical experience of working under the Arbitration Act 1996.

There is an assessed assignment to complete between the first and second weekend and an award writing exercise during the second weekend. Following completion of the course, there is a further assignment to complete. Candidates must pass all elements of the course before attending an interview panel. The interview panel consists of a senior arbitrator, a professional from the industry who is not on the panel and a lay representative. They will consider all written material, completed skills form and references and will be assessing suitability for panel membership.

Successful completion of all elements of the course, including interview, will enable candidates to be included on the RICS Panel of Commercial Arbitrators.

Independent Expert:

This is a two-day course dealing with all practical elements of expert determination in rent review cases. The Course Directors are experienced surveyors and a guest lawyer will also be invited to speak. There is an assignment to complete after the course and candidates will then be invited to attend an interview panel as above.

Successful completion of all elements of the course, including interview,  will enable candidates to be included on the RICS Panel of Independent Experts.

For more information, please contact Carol Goodall, Quality & Training Manager, RICS Dispute Resolution Services.

T 020 7334 3808

E cgoodall@rics.org