This page covers UK-wide law. Where local procedure differs (e.g. courts or tribunals), this is noted in the relevant section.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
Modernised and consolidated the law of bribery. Created four offences: bribing another person, being bribed, bribing a foreign public official, and the corporate offence of failure to prevent bribery. Applies extraterritorially and imposes strict liability on commercial organisations unless they can prove adequate procedures were in place.
Key Points
- Offences of bribing (s.1) and being bribed (s.2)
- Bribery of foreign public officials (s.6)
- Corporate offence of failure to prevent bribery (s.7)
- Defence of adequate procedures (s.7(2))
- No need for connection to the UK for ss.1, 2, 6 if person is UK-connected
- Maximum penalty: 10 years' imprisonment and unlimited fine
- General offence of bribing another person (s.1)
- Offence of being bribed (s.2)
- Corporate offence — failure of commercial organisation to prevent bribery (s.7)
- Adequate procedures defence for the corporate offence
- Extra-territorial jurisdiction — applies to acts abroad by UK nationals and companies
- Maximum 10 years' imprisonment for individuals