Section 2: Interpretation

2. Interpretation In this Act— “architect” means— (a) a professional architect; or (b) an authorised foreign architect; “architectural partnership” means a partnership between 2 or more professional architects; “authorised foreign architect” means— (a) a foreign architect authorised by the Council to practise architecture in Mauritius under section 25, 26 or 27; (b) a foreign architect engaged in relation to the construction of a Government building; “building” means a building, an erection or any other structure erected or made on, in or under any land; “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Council; “Code of Practice” means such Code of Practice as may be prescribed; “committee” means a committee set up under section 10; “competent authority” means the authority authorising a person to practise architecture; “construction” includes extension, conservation, restoration, repairs or any other alteration; “Continuous Professional Development programmes” means programmes, courses, lectures, seminars or conferences in relation to new construction techniques, materials and methods of management, or changes in construction law, building regulations and building standards, or any other matter related to the profession; “Council” means the Professional Architects’ Council established under section 3; “delegated power” means the powers delegated, under section 89 (2) (b) (i) of the Constitution and subject to Part IVA of the Public Service Commission Regulations, to the Council by the Public Service [Issue 4] P39A – 2 Revised Laws of Mauritius Commission to enquire and report into any complaint of professional misconduct or negligence against a professional architect appointed by the Public Service Commission; “financial year” has the same meaning as in section 2A of the Finance and Audit Act; “firm of architects” means a firm, body, group, company or architectural partnership which practises architecture in Mauritius and is under the control of a professional architect; “foreign architect”— (a) means a non-citizen authorised by the competent authority in his country to practise architecture; (b) — (c) does not include a non-citizen who is a resident in Mauritius and is registered as a professional architect; “Government company” means a company registered under the Companies Act and in which the Government of Mauritius directly or, through another corporate body, owns or controls not less than 50 per cent of the entire share capital; “joint venture agreement” means an agreement between a professional architect or a firm of architects, and a foreign architect; “joint venture partner” means a professional architect or firm of architects with whom a foreign architect has entered into a joint venture agreement; “law practitioner” has the same meaning as in the Law Practitioners Act; “licensed auditor” has the same meaning as in the Financial Reporting Act; “member” means a member of the Council; “Minister” means the Minister to whom responsibility for the subject of public infrastructure is assigned; “officer”— (a) means an officer appointed under section 14; and (b) includes the Registrar; “practise architecture” means provide architectural services in connection with the planning, design or supervision of the construction of a building; “preliminary investigation” means an investigation under section 28; “professional architect” means a person registered as such under section 19; “Professional Conduct Committee” means a Professional Conduct C e subject of public infrastructure is assigned; “officer”— (a) means an officer appointed under section 14; and (b) includes the Registrar; “practise architecture” means provide architectural services in connection with the planning, design or supervision of the construction of a building; “preliminary investigation” means an investigation under section 28; “professional architect” means a person registered as such under section 19; “Professional Conduct Committee” means a Professional Conduct Committee set up under section 30; P39A – 3 [Issue 4] Professional Architects’ Council Act “Registrar” means the Registrar of the Council appointed under section 12; “Registration Board” means the Registration Board set up under section 9; “resident” has the same meaning as in the Immigration Act; “student architect” means a person enrolled as such under section 23; “supervising officer” means the supervising officer of the Ministry; “trainee architect” means a person enrolled as such under section 23; “Vice-Chairperson” means the Vice-Chairperson of the Council. [S. 2 amended by s. 22 (a) of Act 38 of 2011 w.e.f. 2 April 2011.] PART II – THE COUNCIL