Bribery Act 2010

Long title

To make provision about offences relating to bribery; and for connected purposes.

Summary

<p>The purpose of the Bill is to provide a modern and comprehensive scheme of bribery offences to equip prosecutors and courts to deal effectively with bribery in the UK and abroad.</p><p><strong>Key areas</strong></p><ul><li>replaces old and fragmented legislation with a modern and consolidated bribery law, based on the recommendations of the Law Commission</li><li>creates offences of offering, promising or giving of a bribe and requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting of a bribe either in the UK or abroad, in the public or private sectors</li><li>creates a discrete offence of bribery of a foreign public official in order to obtain or retain business</li><li>creates a new offence in relation to commercial organisations which fail to prevent a bribe being paid by those who perform services for or on behalf of the organisation. It will, however, be a defence if an organisation has adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery</li></ul>

Progress through Parliament

1. 1st reading· Lords

   19 November 2009 – 19 November 2009

2. 2nd reading· Lords

   9 December 2009 – 9 December 2009

3. Committee stage· Lords

   7 January 2010 – 13 January 2010

4. Report stage· Lords

   2 February 2010 – 2 February 2010

5. 3rd reading· Lords

   8 February 2010 – 8 February 2010

6. 1st reading· Commons

   9 February 2010 – 9 February 2010

7. 2nd reading· Commons

   3 March 2010 – 3 March 2010

8. Programme motion· Commons

   3 March 2010 – 3 March 2010

9. Committee stage· Commons

   16 March 2010 – 23 March 2010

10. Report stage· Commons

    7 April 2010 – 7 April 2010

11. 3rd reading· Commons

    7 April 2010 – 7 April 2010

12. Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons· Lords

    8 April 2010 – 8 April 2010

13. Royal Assent· Unassigned

    8 April 2010 – 8 April 2010