PYRAMUS & THISBE SOCIETY
The Pyramus & Thisbe Club [as it was originally known] was set up in 1974 by leading party wall surveyors of the time following widespread misreporting of the case of “Gyle-Thompson vs Wallstreet Properties Ltd. 1974”. During 2022 the P&T Club became a Learned Society.
Originally meeting in the Little Ship in the City of London, the Club met for over 28 years in the Café Royal. It was originally limited to 100 members but grew because of the pressures to provide a venue where CPD (Life Long Learning) could take place in the widest sense of the word. Junior surveyors wished to join in order to learn the skills required of a party wall professional. At that time party wall legislation, Part VI, of the London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939, only applied in the inner London boroughs.
The name of the Society comes from the characters of Pyramus and Thisbe in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream — two lovers separated by a wall and who come to a sad end as a result of the dispute between their fathers.
The Society played a pivotal role in the framing of the present Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and several members were present in the House when the Bill was introduced into the House of Lords and during the committee stages where amendments were made. The Party Wall Bill was sponsored through Parliament by John Lytton, The Earl of Lytton, and a past Chairman of the Society.
Society 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.
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