Document downloads - Planning appeals
Available downloads
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Surveyors acting as advocates
Published February 2017
Effective from 1 June 2017
The professional statement sets out the core duties expected of the surveyor-advocate. It applies where you agree (whether in writing or orally) to act as a surveyor-advocate before any tribunal in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The guidance note offers guidance on fundamental aspects of advocacy practice. It outlines general duties and roles and offers best practice advice on, among other things, case preparation and preliminaries, evidence and documents, and hearings.
A client guide (a stand-alone electronic version of the professional statement) is also available. -
Direct professional access to barristers (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
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Planning enforcement (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
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The making of planning applications (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Any questions relating to its status and application should be addressed to the relevant RICS Professional Group. -
Surveyors acting as expert witnesses
Published April 2014
Effective from 2 July 2014
Reissued February 2023
Surveyors acting as expert witnesses, 4th edition, applies to surveyors when providing expert evidence, whether oral or written, before a range of courts and tribunals in the UK,
The practice statement sets out the mandatory duties of a surveyor in providing evidence, while the guidance note provides further information on good practice, including: the need for clear instructions and terms of engagement; fees; guidance on what to do in situations of conflict of interest; an outline of the written report format; clarification of the differences between the roles of expert witness and advocate; and the immunity of the expert witness.
A stand-alone electronic version of this practice statement (without the guidance note) is also available for potential use with clients in connection with the particular requirement of PS 3.3.
This document was amended in February 2023 to remove wording from PS10 and GN19 which could be read as prohibiting expert witnesses from taking instructions from solicitors who are engaged on a conditional fee, even if the expert is instructed on an unconditional fee basis. This was not the intention of RICS and has therefore been amended for clarity. -
Insights into compulsory purchase
Published December 2021
Reissued October 2022
This paper on compulsory purchase asks fundamental questions about the practice in the 21st century. The practice plays and will continue to play an important role in our economy as we develop our infrastructure, regenerate our communities, and ensure provision of housing and essential public services and utilities. All of this must be carried out in the context of significant changes to the economy, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and of the challenges posed by climate change and the move to a net-zero carbon economy.
RICS recognises the vital importance of ensuring best practice in the use of compulsory purchase, and this paper is designed to stimulate further discussion and wider debate in the sector. Some of the suggestions would require fundamental changes in legislation, whereas other areas could create substantial change by updating and strengthening best practice in the day-to-day work of surveyors and other practitioners in the sector. We look forward to continuing the discussion and working with stakeholders in this important area for the future economic growth and well-being of the country.
This document was reissued in October 2022 as practice information. It had previously been published in December 2021 as an insight paper. No material changes have been made to the document.