Bribery and Corruption

The UK government has published the Year 3 update of its progress on the UK Anti-corruption Strategy 2017-2022

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1041398/2021.12.15_Year_3_Update_to_the_Anti-Corruption_Strategy.pdf

The Court of Appeal has quashed the conviction of a man accused of bribery after it was revealed that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) had refused to disclose evidence that would have supported his defence.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/court-of-appeal-sfos-refusal-disclose-evidence-serious-failure

This guidance provides practical and legal guidance to prosecutors dealing with cases of modern slavery, human trafficking and smuggling. This guidance also deals (below) with the application of the statutory defence set out in section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and its interplay with other non-punishment principles.

https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/modern-slavery-human-trafficking-and-smuggling

A case for forensic data analytics

https://www.fraud-magazine.com/article.aspx?id=4295016234&mkt_tok=NDEwLUhZTC01NzkAAAGBFiHEh6EJYrxZo51YgYsod7Ys0XrC9c951faztVIEQGhG23rtODzR1afwsfv-VvpdZmb70G82O7zLNH-fUT8Zah8A7Oeok2EezuHKsz3n76Go#.YalbliZVDeM.twitter#.YalbliZVDeM.twitter

Financial industry group UK Finance has published guidance aimed at helping firms define ‘public officials’ when carrying out anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) risk assessments.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/public-officials-defined-uk-anti-bribery-corruption

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has secured the conviction of Petrofac Limited for seven separate counts of failure to prevent bribery between 2011 and 2017.

https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2021/10/04/serious-fraud-office-secures-third-set-of-petrofac-bribery-convictions/

On Friday 24 September 2021, following requisition by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Petrofac Limited attended Westminster Magistrates’ Court where the company was charged with seven separate offences of failing to prevent bribery between 2011 and 2017.

https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2021/09/24/sfo-charges-petrofac-with-failure-to-prevent-bribery-offences/

Telecoms giant O2 is being investigated Serious Fraud Office reportedly over allegations of bribery involving the company’s executives.

https://www.cityam.com/serious-fraud-office-probing-o2-bribery-allegations/

In a market that is increasingly influenced by ethics and integrity, is it time you took a look at your bribery and corruption procedures. Failure to comply may not only be an offence but can have huge reputational damage.

https://www.mills-reeve.com/insights/publications/six-pillars-of-wisdom-to-prevent-bribery-and-corru

The way in which the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) examines the state of competition in markets, engages with companies over alleged breaches of competition law, and reviews markets and proposed mergers, is set to change.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/the-uk-competition-and-merger-control-frameworks-are-set-to-change