A revised version of the Bribery Bill has received its first reading in the House of Lords.
The Bill incorporates most of the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Joint Committee, including the removal of the controversial requirement for negligence by a responsible person in the corporate offence. This means that the corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery by persons undertaking activities on behalf of the company or partnership is now one of strict liability, subject to an adequate procedures defence. No guidance on what would constitute adequate procedures has been provided but the Government has indicated that it will give guidance after the Bill has received Royal Assent and before it takes effect.
A second reading of the Bill is planned by the end of this month to enable it to complete its passage through Parliament before the next general election.
A Stop press, which gives more information on the revised Bill, can be found here.
The Government's response statement to the Parliamentary Joint Committee's report can be found here. The revised Bribery Bill can be found here. See here for information on the Parliamentary Joint Committee’s recommendations and here for background on the first draft of the Bribery Bill.
