Bribery Bill Gathers Pace

On 8 February, the Bribery Bill (the "Bill") completed its Third Reading in the House of Lords. The Bill will now make its passage through the House of Commons and it is anticipated that it will receive Royal Assent before the next General Election. On its passage through the Lords, a small number of changes to the text of the Bill were debated and agreed. At Third Reading, an amendment was approved by the House concerning the defence provided to the security and intelligence services and armed forces to commit activities that would otherwise amount to bribery offences. However, the only significant change to the Bill as originally laid before the House, from the perspective of the business community, is the inclusion of a new clause 9 requiring the Secretary of State to publish guidance on the "adequate procedures" that businesses will be required to put in place to meet the defence to the proposed new corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery.