Bribery Act 2010 - What's In It For Me?

The Bribery Act 2010 received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010. The substantive provisions of the Act are not yet in force, and are now not expected to come into force until April 2011. When the Act does come into force, it will have significant implications, in particular for businesses, and that includes those conducting business in the UK but not constituted here.

Everyone affected by the Act faces the challenge of reviewing and adapting their business practices and structures to safeguard themselves (and certain officers) from substantial penalties.

The Bribery Act 2010 creates:-

• Two new general offences, relating to bribing or being bribed – summarised below;
• A specific offence of bribing a foreign public official; and