Bribery Compliance
Our regulatory lawyers are experienced in advising businesses on bribery issues and representing individuals who are facing allegations of bribery and corruption. We have provided training on bribery laws and compliance issues to accountants and other lawyers.
Bribery Compliance Lawyers
The Bribery Act introduced new bribery offences, as a result of international pressure on the UK to introduce tougher laws. An allegation of bribery can be damaging to both an individual and a business, but our experienced team of defence lawyers can advise you about the law, as well as defending you against an accusation of bribery.
Contact UsWhat the Bribery Act Covers
General bribery offences
The Act sets out a number of definitions of bribery, targeting both the payer and the recipient of a bribe.
The offence of bribery is committed even if the act took place outside the UK, as long as the party to the bribe has what is regarded as a close connection to the UK.
Bribery of foreign public officials
The Bribery Act created a specific offence of bribing a foreign public official, where the payer intends to influence the official, to gain or retain business.
Prosecution against senior officers of a company
As well as prosecutions against organisations and individuals directly involved in a bribe, the Act facilitates prosecutions against Senior Officers of companies if it is established that a bribe took place with the consent or connivance of a Senior Officer.
Failure of commercial organisations to prevent bribery
The most controversial aspect of the Bribery Act is the creation of an offence committed by an organisation, when a person associated with it commits the offence of bribery, unless the organisation can prove that they had adequate procedures in place designed to prevent bribery.
This offence presents many challenges to the business community, not least of which relate to the thorny issues of corporate hospitality and facilitation payments. Our bribery compliance lawyers can prepare for you a bespoke anti bribery policy and procedure, to protect your business.
Corporate hospitality
The appropriateness of corporate hospitality needs to be considered carefully in the context of an individual business and the relevant sector We can provide expert legal advice on corporate hospitality, bespoke to your business.
Facilitation payments
Facilitation payments are usually small payments to officials, to facilitate routine government action to expedite their performance of duties such as issuing permits, allowing unloading of cargo etc.
Organisations may find themselves in a difficult scenario whereby facilitation payments are demanded. However, facilitation payments are classed as a bribe and therefore if they are paid, there is a risk of a criminal prosecution. If you have previously been asked to pay a facilitation payment or are asked to make a facilitation payment in the future, then please contact us so we can advise you on your individual circumstances.
The Serious Fraud Office
Self reporting
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is the lead agency for investigating and prosecuting domestic and overseas bribery and corruption. They conduct lengthy investigations and will prosecute where they consider that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to do so.
A number of organisations having discovered that an incident of bribery has taken place within their business have taken the step of self reporting to the SFO. Self reporting does not provide a guarantee that a criminal prosecution will not follow, but is a relevant consideration, especially if the SFO regard it as part of a proactive approach adopted by the management of an organisation.
If you have identified that an incident of bribery has or may have occurred within your organisation, , you should contact us for expert legal advice. We can help you assess the situation and will work with you to find the best solution for your business.
Joint UK and American investigations into bribery
The SFO are increasingly working on investigations alongside their American counterparts and have a number of ongoing multi-jurisdictional investigations.
If a bribery or corruption investigation or prosecution occurs in the USA against a UK national or business, they may require legal advice from a team of lawyers comprising both British and American lawyers. We can work alongside American lawyers and/or leading barristers with experience of advising UK businesses and individuals defending allegations of bribery and corruption either in the UK or in the USA.
Deferred prosecutions
Deferred Prosecutions are agreements entered into by organisations with investigators, whereby criminal prosecution is avoided in return for compliance with conditions such as an admission of wrongdoing, substantial governance changes, often ongoing compliance monitoring and usually the payment of a substantial financial penalty. They are used when it is considered that a prosecution is not in the public interest but they are now being used increasingly by the SFO, and are particularly likely to be considered in bribery investigations.
How to protect your organisation
Businesses should carefully assess the potential risks they face in their sector and the geographical locations in which they operate. The business should then prepare an anti-bribery policy and a documented procedure for staff and associates to follow, supported with appropriate training.
What we do
We can help you in any of the following ways:
– Assist your business to perform a risk assessment;
– Prepare anti-bribery policies and procedures;
– Provide training for appropriate personnel;
– Advise on specific bribery issues;
– Advise on all aspects of self reporting bribery to the SFO;
– Robustly defend businesses and/or individuals who find themselves the subject of a bribery investigation or prosecution.
Specialist solicitors
Our multidisciplinary team is made up of specialists in a wide range of services, which means you'll always be represented by an expert in your area.
No-strings initial call
Get in touch to arrange a no-obligation, fully confidential call to discuss your case and work out if you want to continue.
Nationwide support
Speak to solicitors in one of our offices throughout England and Wales, or arrange calls and remote meetings.
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