Bribery offences introduced
Implementation date: 1 July 2011
The Bribery Act 2010 aims to promote anti-bribery practices among businesses, by modernising the law on bribery. The Act introduces a corporate offence of failure to prevent bribery by persons working on behalf of a business. The business has a defence if it has adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery. The penalty is an unlimited fine. For individuals, it will be a criminal offence to give, promise or offer a bribe and to request, agree to receive or accept a bribe. The legislation raises the maximum penalty for bribery by individuals from seven to 10 years' imprisonment. Read the legislation on the UK legislation website:
- Bribery Act 2010 The Act introduces a corporate offence of failure to prevent bribery.
- Bribery Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2011 (SI 2011/1418) The commencement order brings into force the provisions of the Bribery Act 2010 that have not already been commenced.
- Bribery Act 2010 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2011 (SI 2011/1441) The Order amends secondary legislation pursuant to the provisions of the Bribery Act 2010.