The Bribery Act comes into force

01/07/2011

By Henar Dyson, Senior Associate in Corporate and Commercial.

The Bribery Act finally came into force on 1 July 2011. It introduces new criminal offences relating to the making and receipt of bribes. It also introduces a new criminal offence for businesses with a UK presence that fail to prevent bribery carried out by people working on their behalf.  To defend themselves against this charge, businesses will need to show that they have put adequate measures in place to prevent bribery.  

Guidance on these offences and the scope of the Act are available on the Ministry of Justice website. Please also read our other detailed articles on the Bribery Act.