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The revised UK Bribery Act will come into force next April, the government has announced.
There had been hopes that the Act would be implemented this October, but Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke has said he wants to carry out another consultation on how companies should make sure they do not fall foul of the law.
Some anti-corruption activists fear the extra six month lead-in time could be used by the new government to somehow reduce the impact of the legislation. Transparency International said the delay was ‘extremely disappointing’ and added; ‘The danger is that under the guise of consultation attempts may be made by those who want to pursue business as usual to water down the Act.’
Eoin O’Shea, head of the anti-corruption practice at the Lawrence Graham law firm, said the delay was ‘a surprise given that the Act has already gone through a very long gestation period’ and that there have been several consultation exercises already.
The legislation will include a corporate offence of failures to prevent bribery unless ‘adequate procedures’ are in place. Businesses will also be liable for the corrupt activities of relevant third parties as well as their own staff.
Once consultation responses have been considered, finalised guidance will be published in the New Year to allow businesses to prepare before the Bribery Act finally comes in force.
There had been hopes that the Act would be implemented this October, but Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke has said he wants to carry out another consultation on how companies should make sure they do not fall foul of the law.
Some anti-corruption activists fear the extra six month lead-in time could be used by the new government to somehow reduce the impact of the legislation. Transparency International said the delay was ‘extremely disappointing’ and added; ‘The danger is that under the guise of consultation attempts may be made by those who want to pursue business as usual to water down the Act.’
Eoin O’Shea, head of the anti-corruption practice at the Lawrence Graham law firm, said the delay was ‘a surprise given that the Act has already gone through a very long gestation period’ and that there have been several consultation exercises already.
The legislation will include a corporate offence of failures to prevent bribery unless ‘adequate procedures’ are in place. Businesses will also be liable for the corrupt activities of relevant third parties as well as their own staff.
Once consultation responses have been considered, finalised guidance will be published in the New Year to allow businesses to prepare before the Bribery Act finally comes in force.
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