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Architect Struck Off for Helping Partner Cheat Professional Exams

This post explains an important but opaque story. A news site behind a paywall reported that architect Paul Treacy was “struck off,” but the article text itself was not available to read.

The visible page was a subscription/payment notice, not the full story. We don’t have the specific findings, allegations, or disciplinary reasoning.

This piece will outline what “being struck off” typically means in the architecture profession. It will also cover the regulatory process that usually leads to such a sanction.

Paywalls and access limitations matter for public information. There are practical steps architects and clients should take in response.

What we know (and don’t know) about the reported strike-off

The paywalled notice makes one fact clear: the headline said Mr. Treacy was removed from the professional register. Beyond that, details like charges, evidence, hearing outcomes, and sanctions are not available to the public through that page.

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Anyone relying only on the headline lacks the context needed to assess the seriousness or grounds for the sanction. It is also unclear whether an appeal is pending.

It’s important to distinguish between what a headline asserts and what a regulator’s formal record documents.

How regulatory strike-offs normally happen

In the UK and many other places, being “struck off” means removal from the statutory register maintained by the professional regulator. For architects in the UK, this is the Architects Registration Board or ARB.

The process generally follows these steps:

  • Complaint and investigation: A client, colleague, or regulator raises concerns. These are then investigated.
  • Formal charges: If evidence suggests misconduct, formal allegations are laid against the registrant.
  • Hearing: A disciplinary panel hears evidence, often in public, and makes findings.
  • Sanction: Outcomes range from warnings and conditions to suspension or removal from the register.
  • Grounds for removal often include serious professional misconduct, criminal convictions affecting fitness to practise, dishonesty, or gross negligence. An individual can usually appeal decisions through legal channels.

    Why access to full articles and regulator reports matters

    Public understanding depends on access to complete information. Headlines without substance can harm reputations and misinform clients, employers, and collaborators.

    When coverage is behind paywalls, it creates a two-tier information environment. Some people can pay for the full text, while others cannot.

    Regulators usually publish formal determinations and summaries on their websites. These documents are the authoritative source.

    Journalists provide added interpretation and background. However, the primary record should be the regulator’s decision notice.

    Practical takeaways for architects, clients and firms

    Whether or not you can see the paywalled article, treat any headline about a strike-off as a prompt to consult primary sources.

    Take prudent action:

  • Check the register: Always verify a practitioner’s registration status on the regulator’s official site.
  • Request documentation: Clients should ask firms for confirmation of professional indemnity insurance and disciplinary history when appropriate.
  • Maintain records: Architects should document decisions and maintain robust project files.
  • Comply with standards: Follow CPD and practice standards to reduce risk.
  • Seek legal advice: If implicated or affected by a disciplinary outcome, obtain professional legal counsel early.
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    Here is the source article for this story: Architect struck off for helping romantic partner cheat in her exams

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