Post
by secret.simon » Wed Feb 12, 2014 2:01 am
This is perhaps a late response to the original post which enquired inter alia the basis on which a professional who could be a referee was selected.
I was discussing this issue with a work colleague of mine, who has consented to be a referee, and she opined that the basis for being a professional referee is that the person can be disciplined by an external, government regulated body if they are found to be lying, as UKBA may have limited powers in this field.
Thus, if somebody is a member of a professional body, such as the General Medical Council (which is regulated by law), the body can hold the person accountable for lying or for bringing the organisation into disrepute, etc and can discipline them. Likewise, directors of companies can be barred from directorships by Companies House and civil servants can be disciplined by internal procedures at work. Thus architects affiliated to the RIBA (set up through a Royal Charter) would count, while a software professional or a research scientist who are not affiliated to a professional body, would not count, under this logic.
Her explanation appears to be logical and fits the indicative list of acceptable referees. This should go some way in answering OP's questions.