RICS Panels

RICS Dispute Resolution Services (DRS) make between 5,000-10,000 appointments a year from its panels of dispute resolvers. It is the leading appointment authority for property-related disputes and only those who are able to reflect the high standards of knowledge and experience expected by RICS are able to join a panel.

Candidates who wish to join an RICS panel must meet the initial entry criteria before an application can be considered.  The number and composition of RICS panels reflects the demand for appointments and recruitment to the panels is only undertaken where we have identified shortages in either skills or geographic coverage (or where we are likely to have shortages in the future).

The main RICS Panels are:
• Commercial Rent Review Arbitrators
• Commercial Rent Review Independent Experts
• Rural Practice Arbitrators
• Construction Adjudicators
• Non-rent Arbitrators
• Mediators
• MENEA Panel of Construction Arbitrators

The largest proportion of RICS appointments are made from the panel of Rent Review Arbitrators and Independent Experts who are appointed on rent review disputes and lease renewals under PACT. Most commercial leases continue to have provision for the President of RICS to appoint an arbitrator or independent expert and this is an acknowledgement of the technical knowledge and experience of RICS panel members.

Rural practice surveyors deal with appointments under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995. These panel members also deal with other property, partnership or contract farming disputes under the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996.

The largest RICS non-rent panel is the panel of Construction Adjudicators. RICS nominates construction adjudicators under the provisions of the Housing Grants Construction & Regeneration Act 1996 and also under contract.  The majority of members on these panels are chartered surveyors but members of other professional bodies such as architects or engineers are also panel members to enable RICS to make appropriate appointments.

Future recruitment to the Adjudicator Panel will be drawn from those who have successfully completed the RICS/RSPH Diploma in Construction Adjudication. This is a new qualification which can be obtained after completion of an externally accredited training course. However, it must be stressed that completion of this Diploma will not lead to automatic inclusion on the panel. As with all RICS panels, recruitment is undertaken only when shortages are identified. Please see the criteria for details of entry requirements to the Adjudicator panel. (Full details of the RICS/RSPH Diploma qualification are available on our website. For more information please contact: Mrs Raj Sohal, e rsohal@rics.org t 020 7695 1714)

RICS also has a panel dealing with non-rent arbitrations but very few appointments are made from this panel as most cases are dealt with by adjudication.  However, RICS are intending to promote the use of RICS dispute resolvers in the international market. A small panel of construction arbitrators has recently been established to act in the MENEA region

Although only a small number of appointments are currently made from the Panel of Mediators, RICS are exploring other options to utilise the skills and experience of its panel members. RICS also provide mediation training and any future recruitment to the panel will be from those who are RICS Accredited Mediators.

When DRS identifies shortages on a panel, applications are invited from those who can comply with the appropriate criteria and are able to fulfil the current recruitment need.  Potential candidates will be required to forward a ‘Summary of relevant experience’ (see Criteria), complete a skills form detailing their expertise and giving details of referees who support their application. Candidates whose expertise and skills match the areas of shortages identified for panel recruitment may be invited to attend an RICS training/assessment course.

Not everyone who wishes to join a panel will be invited to attend a training course as priority will be given to those candidates who most closely match the recruitment need. The main recruitment carried out is for the commercial rent panels. RICS would expect surveyors who wish to join our panels to have at least 10 years post qualification experience as well as experience in dispute resolution (usually acting as expert witness or advocate in arbitrations or expert determinations). Prospective candidates should 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 experts, the surveyor should be actively involved in market transactions.

Although training/recruitment courses will not be run for the commercial rent panels in 2011, dates will be announced shortly for courses in 2012. The residential courses will be held at the University of Warwick Conference Centre, Coventry. Those who successfully complete all elements of the training/assessment requirements will then be required to pass an interview board before being invited to join the panel. Membership of a panel does not guarantee a quota (or any) appointments.

Once on the panel, members are required to carry out CPD specially related to dispute resolution and will be subject to regular reassessment. Criteria for reassessment of the panels have been developed and these are available as a download. The regular reassessment of panel members ensures that those on the panel continue to meet the high standards expected of a RICS panel member. 

User Guide on Feedback or Complaints Relating to RICS Dispute Resolvers Appointed by RICS

For More Information

RICS Dispute Resolution Service
Surveyor Court
Westwood Way
Coventry
CV4 8JE

t +44 (0)20 7334 3806
e drs@rics.org