Bribery Offences

1. What is the legal framework governing bribery in the UK?

• The Bribery Act 2010 (UKBA) is the key piece of UK legislation governing bribery. It applies to conduct occurring from the implementation date of July 1, 2011. Older conduct occurring entirely before that date will be assessed by reference to the common law and a series of complex and overlapping pieces of legislation.

2. What constitutes a bribe?

• A bribe is defined under the UKBA as a financial or other advantage given or received etc., with the intention of inducing or rewarding the improper performance of a relevant function or activity. 
• A relevant function or activity is one which is a function of a public nature, is connected with a business, is performed in the course of a person's employment, or is an activity performed by or on behalf of a body of persons (whether corporate or unincorporate) and the person performing the function or activity (i) is expected to perform it in good faith