Publication
Publication
In a desire to win that next contract or increase profitability, individuals and businesses still seek to influence the outcome of tender processes or the decisions of public officials with bribes. Supply chains are impacted, consumers exploited and communities damaged by illicit financial deals that unduly and illegally benefit those involved.
And the problem is a global one. The cross-border structure of many businesses today means that bad conduct can take place across jurisdictions, dressed up as usual commercial practice or simply hidden from view.
Global enforcement authorities recognise the damage such misconduct causes. But how successful are they at tackling crime and wrongdoing? What penalties are available to them to punish illegal behaviour? And when does “ordinary” commercial conduct fall the wrong side of the line?
An understanding of the global reach of anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) regulation, as well as the application of it within a specific jurisdiction, is key to managing risk for today’s international businesses. As national enforcement agencies increasingly cooperate with each other to tackle financial crime, we have seen an uptick in wide-reaching cross-border investigations and correspondingly large penalties for companies engaging in unlawful behaviour.
Linklaters’ Global Guide to Anti-Bribery and Corruption Law and Enforcement examines how jurisdictions across the globe are tackling commercial wrongdoing and will be of particular interest to businesses with international operations. It delivers quick insights into ABC law and practice across 20 jurisdictions, answering nine key questions per region:
The approaches to dealing with bribery and corruption offences and the challenges faced by enforcement authorities differ across the jurisdictions surveyed. However, a number of key themes are common. These are discussed below, with examples drawn from across the globe.
