The Bribery Act 2010: Are Your Measures Adequate?

The Bribery Act 2010, which comes into force in April 2011, aims to provide an effective legal framework to address an issue which is an increasing problem, in both the public and private sector, at both a domestic and international level.

The World Bank estimates that over $1 trillion is paid annually in bribes, adding over 10 per cent to the cost of doing business in certain countries. The Bribery Act 2010 aims to help address this problem in the UK.

The Act is of particular significance to construction companies who, particularly when operating abroad, are often exposed to corrupt practices, as illustrated by the well publicised Serious Fraud Office investigations into projects involving a number of well known UK construction firms.