Time to refine measures

The Bribery Act guidance doesn’t need to be a burden on the corporate system, says Richard Burger

So it is finally here – the long-awaited government guidance on the ‘adequate procedures’ that commercial organisations should put in place to prevent birbery.

Under the Bribery Act 2010 commercial organisations will be liable to prosecution if an associated person (employees, agents, subsidiaries or joint venture partners) bribes another person intending to obtain or retain business or an advantage for that organisation.

However, the act provides a statutory defence for the organisation if it