The UK Bribery Act criminalizes bribing foreign officials and business representatives. It extends to England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and covers citizens, residents and organizations that originate from the UK or conduct business there.

The UK Bribery Act has been described as the toughest anti-corruption legislation in the world and is one of two anti-corruption measures – along with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) – that sets modern global standards for bribery and corruption prevention and enforcement. The act has a near universal jurisdiction allowing for the prosecution of an individual or company with links to the UK regardless of where the crime occurred.  

The UK Bribery Act heightens liability risks for companies, directors and individuals – and in fact has a wider scope than the older FCPA. Compliance is key for British companies operating abroad as UK Bribery Act penalties are steep, including fines, confiscation of property and even imprisonment.  

The UK Bribery Act includes two general offences: the offering or giving of an “advantage,” and the requesting, agreeing to receive, or accepting of an “advantage.” It also goes deeper into these generalities by further emphasizing the bribery of foreign officials, as well as the failures by commercial organizations to effectively prevent bribery through adequate enforcement of policies.