Seen as one of the toughest pieces of anti corruption legislation in the world, The Bribery Act 2010 passed by parliament this year, will come into full force from April 2011 effecting every business in the UK. The act introduces new offences making company directors liable for bribery within their company if they fail to put adequate procedures in place to prevent it; and making it a criminal offence to give or receive a bribe. Penalties have been set at a maximum of 10 years imprisonment or unlimited fines.

Companies have from now to April to plan and launch their Anti Bribery programme, in readiness for the Government guidance which will be released in January.

The Bribery Centre has been created to assist companies to learn more about the risk to their business and to provide tools to assist compliance.