Bribery Act 2010 –Part 3 Practical Steps to Take Now

This is the third in my series of articles relating to the implication of the Act on businesses. You can view the preceding articles by clicking on Article I and Article 2

Small and medium-sized enterprises will inevitably have fewer resources to counter bribery than larger companies. However, you can take some straight-forward measures before the law comes into force to help prevent your business breaching the new legislation.

Bribery Act 2010 – Part 2 – The new offences

This is the second in my articles about the Bribery Act 2010. To read the first article then click on this link

What are the new offences?

Bribing another person

A person will be guilty of this offence if they offer, promise or give a financial advantage or other advantage, to another person:

Bribery Act 2010 - Part 1 – What it means for your business

Although the Bribery Act 2010 is not yet in force, criticism has been levelled as to the extent of new systems that businesses will need to implement to ensure they comply.   Kenneth Clarke (whose department, the Ministry of Justice, is running behind in the publishing of the Guidance) has said that "the guidance must make it absolutely clear that ordinary legitimate promotion – hospitality and similar activities in which people engage in order to promote the quality of their company and its products or services and to establish relationships with clients and customers – is all part of international trade."

The penalties for transgression by companies and their directors are draconian and everyone in business needs to be aware of their responsibilities. To enable you to do this I shall produce a series of three short articles help you understand risks to which you are exposed.

What is bribery?