SCL Ethics Group

Statement of Ethical Principles

Ethical conduct is the compliance with the following ethical principles.

1. Honesty - act with honesty and avoid conduct likely to result, directly or indirectly, in the deception of others.
2. Fairness - do not seek to obtain a benefit which arises directly or indirectly from the unfair treatment of other people.
3. Fair reward - avoid acts which are likely to result in another party being deprived of a fair reward for their work.
4. Reliability - maintain up to date skills and provide services only within your area of competence.
5. Integrity - have regard for the interests of the public, particularly people who will make use of or obtain an interest in the project in the future.
6. Objectivity - identify any potential conflicts of interest and disclose the conflict to any person who would be adversely affected by it.
7. Accountability - provide information and warning of matters within your knowledge which are of potential detriment to others who may be adversely affected by them. Warning must be given in sufficient time to allow the taking of effective action to avoid detriment.

These principles apply to the work of all professionals working in the construction industry, whatever their original qualification or affiliation.

Guidance on ethical principles

Application of statement

The statement of ethical principles applies to persons as individuals, whether they work as an independent professional or as a partner, associate, director or employee of a firm or company.

Persons who work on behalf of a firm or company have additional responsibility to ensure that this statement of good practice is complied with by the firm or company to the extent of their authority.

Legal and other duties

The statement of good practice is in addition to any other professional code that may apply.

The statement of good practice is part of and additional to contractual and other duties taken on under civil law

The statement of good practice applies independently of any requirement imposed by or breach of criminal law.

Unethical conduct

Unethical conduct is the deliberate or reckless disregard for the ethical principles, as they would apply to the ordinary standards applicable to the activity being undertaken - the recognised practice in that profession.