Disciplinary Panel Hearing
Case: Duncan Philips [0080429]
Date: Tuesday 04 – Thursday 06 August 2026
Time: 10:00 hrs BST
1. On or about 2 December 2015, Mr Duncan Philips submitted an application form to RICS in order to be accredited as an expert witness. In that application form, Mr Philips described himself as ‘Dr’ and declared that he had gained a Master of Philosophy qualification (MPhil) from the University of Salford in 1989 and a Doctor of Philosophy qualification (PhD) from the University of Western England in 1995.
a) Mr Philips acted dishonestly in that he knew that:
i. He was not entitled to describe himself as ‘Dr’ and/or
ii. He had not gained an MPhil from the University of Salford in 1989 or at all and/or
iii. He had not gained a PhD from the University of Western England in 1995 or at all.
b) Mr Philips acted without integrity in that he knew or ought to have known that:
i. He was not entitled to describe himself as ‘Dr’ and/or
ii. He had not gained an MPhil from the University of Salford in 1989 or at all and/or
iii. He had not gained a PhD from the University of Western England in 1995 or at all.
Contrary to Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members version 6 with effect from 1 January 2013.
Mr Philips is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-Law 5.2.2 (c).
2. Between 26 January 2016 and 31 January 2017, Mr Duncan Philips caused or permitted the Expert Witness website to display a public profile in which he was described as Dr Duncan Philips with qualifications of MSc, MPhil and PhD and was described as ‘RICS Expert Witness Accredited’.
a) Mr Philips acted dishonestly in that he knew that:
i. He was not entitled to use the title ‘Dr’ and/or
ii. He had not been conferred with any or all of the stated qualifications of MSc, MPhil and/or PhD and/or
iii. He was not an expert witness accredited by RICS.
b) Mr Philips acted without integrity in that he knew or ought to have known that:
i. He was not entitled to use the title ‘Dr’ and/or
ii. He had not been conferred with any or all of the stated qualifications of MSc, MPhil and/or PhD and/or
iii. He was not an expert witness accredited by RICS.
Contrary to Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members version 6 with effect from 1 January 2013.
Mr Philips is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-Law 5.2.2 (c).
3. On or after 27 February 2018, Mr Duncan Philips submitted an application form in order to be elected to Fellowship of RICS. In that application form, Mr Philips claimed to have achieved a Master of Philosophy qualification (MPhil) in 1995 and a Doctor of Philosophy qualification (PhD) in 2005.
a) Mr Philips acted dishonestly in that he knew that:
i. He had not achieved an MPhil qualification in 1995 or at all and/or
ii. He had not achieved a PhD qualification in 2005 or at all.
b) Mr Philips acted without integrity in that he knew or ought to have known that:
i. He had not achieved an MPhil qualification in 1995 or at all and/or
ii. He had not achieved a PhD qualification in 2005 or at all.
Contrary to Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members version 6 with effect from 1 January 2013.
Mr Philips is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-Law 5.2.2 (c).
4. Between 31 May 2022 and 1 March 2025, Mr Duncan Philips described himself as Dr Duncan Philips MSc, MPhil, PhD, FRICS, IHBC in his email sign-off on professional emails, including emails to RICS as well as in two expert witness reports dated 1 June 2022 and 30 September 2024 respectively.
a) Mr Philips acted dishonestly in that he knew that:
i. He was not entitled to use the title ‘Dr’ and/or
ii. He had not been conferred with any or all of the stated qualifications of MSc, MPhil and/or PhD.
b) Mr Philips acted without integrity in that he knew or ought to have known that:
i. He was not entitled to use the title ‘Dr’ and/or
ii. He had not been conferred with any or all of the stated qualifications of MSc, MPhil and/or PhD.
Contrary to Rule 1 of the Global Rules of Conduct, Version 1.
Mr Philips is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-Law 5.2.2 (c).
Anyone wishing to attend should contact:
Jae Berry
Regulatory Tribunal Manager
jberry@rics.org