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About the Pyramus & Thisbe Society

History of the society

Society structure

Benefits of membership

We thank you for visiting us. Please feel welcome to tour the site, where you will find, among other things:

  • All you need to know about the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
  • What to do if you have received a Notice under the Act
  • A professional Party Wall Surveyor in your area who will give you sound advice
  • Who to consult for boundary, fences, hedges and other neighbour problems
  • How to join us
  • More about us, our events and publications – please browse through our pages
  • Why we have such a strange name for a Learned Society!

We are a true “Learned Society”, not a “trade organisation”. We are dedicated to improving the administration of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 through education and discussion. As such, we do not have formal complaint or disciplinary procedures but rather a Protocol to which we expect our members to adhere. If you have concerns about a member’s behaviour details of how to bring this to our attention are to be found here.

Protocol

All members are bound to conform to the following Society Protocols:

1. When acting as a surveyor (commonly referred to as a ‘party wall surveyor’) within the meaning of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (“the Act”):

1.1 Ensure that the spirit of the Act is followed/adhered to in respect of Building Owners’ and Adjoining Owners’ & Occupiers’ rights, duties and obligations under the Act, upholding such rights equally and impartially,

1.2 Make all decisions and determinations objectively, fairly and on merit using the best available guidance without discrimination or bias, always with honesty, openness, courtesy, respect, integrity and professionally,

1.3 Undertake and discharge all responsibilities with reasonable skill and care, and with reasonable expedition,

1.4 Not behave in a manner un-befitting of a member of the Society nor bring the Society into disrepute,

1.5 Comply with the Society’s Practice Notes (or give good reason why not), as well as, in the usual way, the member’s own professional body’s Rules of Conduct. In the event of a conflict refer the matter to the Society for guidance,

1.6 Upon reasonable request, assist all members with advice and help,

1.7 Adopt best practice in party wall and neighbourly matters. Foster excellence by disseminating knowledge, guidance and education.

Join Us

Join the only Learned Society of party wall professionals to build your knowledge and understanding. You’ll be in the company of like minded specialists who have been helping fellow surveyors since 1974.

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Whilst the majority of Pyramus & Thisbe Society members are surveyors, the Society also includes architects, structural engineers, solicitors, barristers and others with an interest in the subject and a commitment to observing high standards of professionalism, in conformity with the Society Protocols outlined above:.

The Pyramus & Thisbe Society

The Pyramus & Thisbe Society is organised on a regional basis, with each branch having its own chairman and programme of events.

The Pyramus & Thisbe Society, which started life as a club of likeminded professionals, played a pivotal role in the framing of the present Party Wall etc. Act 1996, which was acknowledged by the Earl of Kinnoull, during the second reading debate of the Party Wall Bill in the House of Lords, when he said of the Club “I know that this club of professionals has done tremendous work. I pay particular tribute to its Chairman, John Anstey, who, like other colleagues, has been active in helping to draft the Bill.” The Party Wall Bill was sponsored through Parliament by John Lytton, The Earl of Lytton, a past Chairman of the Club.

The Pyramus & Thisbe Society continues to maintain a strong relationship with several government departments, such as the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister now Department for Communities and Local Government, and is constantly looking at ways of dealing with anomalies in the legislation and promoting best practice.

Acknowledgment

In a case in 2008 in Romford County Court, His Honour Judge Platt acknowledged the Pyramus & Thisbe Society’s members when he said:

“It is a tribute to the surveyor’s profession as a whole, and to the members of the Pyramus & Thisbe [Society] in particular, that issues over party walls have generally been resolved by a pragmatic and cooperative approach to the provisions of the Act and consequently appeals to the County Court have been extremely rare.”