Bill · started in the Lords
Bribery Act 2010
To make provision about offences relating to bribery; and for connected purposes.
Now an Act of Parliament
The story so farThe Bribery Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 19 November 2009 by Lord Bach (Labour). It completed its passage through Parliament and became law as the Bribery Act 2010, receiving Royal Assent on 8 April 2010.
What the bill does
<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
- 1st reading Lords 19 Nov 2009
- 2nd reading Lords 9 Dec 2009
- Committee stage Lords 7 Jan to 13 Jan 2010
- Report stage Lords 2 Feb 2010
- 3rd reading Lords 8 Feb 2010
- 1st reading Commons 9 Feb 2010
- 2nd reading Commons 3 Mar 2010
- Programme motion Commons 3 Mar 2010
- Committee stage Commons 16 Mar to 23 Mar 2010
- Report stage Commons 7 Apr 2010
- 3rd reading Commons 7 Apr 2010
- Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons Lords 8 Apr 2010
- Royal Assent Unassigned 8 Apr 2010
Source: the official bill page. Last updated 17 Aug 2010.