Bribery reform in the UK: where to now?
The need for companies in the UK to adopt and implement anti-corruption measures in their day to day business dealings is more real than ever before. In its November 2008 report, the Law Commission has recommended a complete overhaul of the UK’s criminal law of bribery. A new offence of bribing a foreign public official is proposed as well as the extension of current offences to include foreign nationals who live and work in the UK. Significantly, the Law Commission suggests a new corporate offence for corruption to make it more likely for companies, rather than individuals, to be prosecuted for bribery. To date, enforcement of bribery and corruption laws in the UK has been very difficult, despite notable attempts by the Financial Services Authority in January 2009 when it fined Aon Limited £5.25 million for inadequate internal control systems, and by the Serious Fraud Office in October 2008 when it accepted a £2.25 million settlement plus costs from Balfour Beatty plc following an inv
