United Kingdom

The Architects Act 1997 (see also the entry in the UK Statute Law Database)

Unofficial copy of the Architects Act as it is currently in force (June 2008)

The Architects Qualifications (EC Recognition) Order 2002

The Architects (Professional Conduct Committee) Amendment Order 2004

The European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007, being a Statutory Instrument that implements, in part, Council Directive 2005/36/EC ( see below) on the recognition of professional qualifications.  See also the Explanatory Note which is published alongside the Statutory Instrument.

The Architects (Recognition of European Qualifications etc and Saving and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2008 [ web version], which designates the Board as competent authority and modifies the register so that it is in two parts, the first being for the registration of those with United Kingdom and European qualifications, the second for architects visiting the United Kingdom on a temporary and occasional basis. ( Explanatory notes)

The Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and the provisions within it for amending the law in relation to architects.

Architects (Registration) Act 1931

Architects (Registration) Act 1931 incorporating amendments made up to 31 December 1975

Architects Registration Act 1938

Extracts from the Building Act 1984 including the Arrangement of Sections, the long title, sections 17 and 49 and relevant Derivations.  For the whole Act see the Statute Law Database.

Building (Scotland) Act 2003

Data Protection Act 1988 (Inquirers and policy makers with an interest in the Data Protection Act may also wish to read the Legal Guidance for data controllers published by the Information Commissioner.)

Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994

Freedom of Information Act 2000. (A " Short Guide to the Freedom of Information Act and Other New Access Rights" has been published by the Campaign for Freedom of Information.  It contains a model letter for use when requesting information.)

Freedom of Information (Additional Public Authorities) Order 2004 listing the Architects registration Board in Schedule 2.

Human Rights Act 1998

Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

Regulatory Reform Act 2001

Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006  with a link to the  Regulators' Compliance Code proposed under the earlier LRR Bill and a Treasury Report on progress in implementing the Hampton Review of March 2005.

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mutual recognition of qualifications in architecture, of 7 September 2005, 2005/36/ EC ( summary) ( full text pdf / html).  NB Article 63 states: "Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 20 October 2007 at the latest".  This Directive was implemented into UK law on 19 October 2007 by The European Communities (Recognition of professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007 ( see above). Directive 85/384/EEC was repealed on 20 October 2007 ( summary) ( full text).

Overseas

There is no law restricting the practice of architecture or use of the title 'architect' in many countries, including Denmark, Eire, Finland, Norway, Sweden and parts of Switzerland; in the British Isles, there is freedom in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Isle of Man.  The question has been asked whether buildings designed by architects not subject to any legislative restriction fall down faster.

Australia -  debate over repeal of Architects Acts.  See also the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia

   Capital Territory - Architects Act 2004 (A2004-20)

   New South Wales - Architects Act 2003 No 89

   Northern Territory - Architects Act as in force December 2005

   Queensland - Architects Act 2002 Reprint 1c

   South Australia - Architects Act 1939

   Victoria - Architects Act 1991 No 13

   Western Australia - Architects Act 1921

Canada

   Alberta - Architects Act RSA 2000

   British Columbia - Architects Act 1996 Chapter 17

   Manitoba - The Architects Act RSM 1987

   New Brunswick - The Architects Act 1987 (respecting the Architects' Association)

   Newfoundland - The Act (Newfoundland Association of Architects)

   Nova Scotia - Architects Act 1989 Chapter 21

   Ontario - Architects Act 1990 (amended 2001) Chapter A.26

   Prince Edward Island - Architects Act 2003 Chapter A-18.1

   Quebec - Architects Act RSQ A-21

Czech Republic - Architects Act 360/1992

France - Loi sur l'architecture (version consolidé au 2005); English machine translation

India - Architects Act 1972 (Enter "Architects" into "Short Title" Search.

Ireland - Building Control Act 2007 (see in particular Parts 3 and 6).

Malaysia - Architects Act 1967 No. 117

New Zealand - Registered Architects Act 2005 No 38

Singapore - Architects Act 1991 Chapter 12, Section 36

South Africa - Architectural Profession Act 2000

Zimbabwe - Architects Act, Acts 29/1981

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