Timothy Foster and his company, BDS Architecture Ltd in Derby, were each convicted of four charges of the criminal offence of misusing the title ‘architect’
Derby Magistrates’ Court heard that, on 21 November 2019, the company had used the title on its website, in its metadata and as part of hashtags on social media despite no one at the firm being registered as an architect. The misuse persisted despite numerous warnings from ARB.
As the majority director of the company, Foster has been held accountable for the offences committed by the company.
It was also heard that Foster was initially of the impression there was nothing preventing him using the word ‘architect’ however he later accepted his wrongdoing and submitted a guilty plea.
Taking Foster’s early guilty plea into account, the Court imposed a penalty totalling £9,797.74 in addition to the criminal conviction.
It is hoped that criminal convictions, fines and the negative publicity associated with title misuse prosecutions will act as a deterrent for those who may otherwise have used the title illegally.
In regulating the misuse of the title ‘architect’ the objective of ARB is to limit the harm as swiftly and effectively as possible. Foster and BDS Architecture (Derby) Ltd have 28 days to make any necessary changes.
ARB will continue to monitor their trading style and take further appropriate action as necessary.
