The UK Bribery Act 2010 - what you need to know

The Act was created to replace the existing law in the UK (which still remains the law until theAct’s offences are brought into effect on 1 July 2011), a complicated and confusing combinationof statutory and common law offences that is the result of piecemeal development over more than 100 years. The need for reform was widely acknowledged by legal commentators and practitioners, and the Bribery Bill had cross-party support as it went through Parliament.

However, the final result has not been without controversy and may still have worrying consequences not only for UK corporates but also for any corporates with operations in the UK.The Act is not retrospective in effect.

Therefore, the existing law will continue to apply where any act or omission forming part of a bribery offence took place before the relevant new offence is brought into effect. (For further information about the existing law, please refer to our publication, A guide to existing bribery and corruption offences in England & Wales).