Effect of the Bribery Act 2010 on UK citizens and business worldwide
The Bribery Act 2010 was given Royal Assent in April 2010 and will come into force on 1 July 2011.
The act makes it an offence for a United Kingdom (UK) citizen or resident to pay or receive a bribe, either directly or indirectly. The act provides for transactions that take place in the UK and abroad, and both in the public and private sectors. Companies and partnerships can also commit an offence where a bribe has been paid on their behalf by an associate. Associates include employees, agents and other persons providing services on behalf of the corporate entity. However, it is a defence to have adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery.