Bribery Act 2010 to come into force in April 2011

The Bribery Act 2010, which will modernise and consolidate the law on bribery and corruption in the UK by creating two new offences of bribery (bribing someone or being bribed), creating a new distinct offence of bribery of a foreign public official, and introducing a new corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery, is to come into force in April 2011, six months later than originally expected.

There will be a short consultation launched in September on the guidance covering the adequate procedures that commercial organisations can put in place to protect themselves from falling foul of the new corporate offence.  The final version of the guidance is then expected to be published in the New Year.