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Page 1: Britain Tackles Bribery

Britain Tackles BriberyBritain Tackles Bribery

1 September 2011

Kaiserštejnský Palace,

Malostranské nam. 23, Prague 1

Katie Schoultz

The UK Bribery Act

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Roadmap

The UK Bribery Act What does it do? How will it be enforced? Inspirational or whacky?

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Background

OECD Convention UK’s bad report card Response to criticism “FCPA on steroids”

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What Does it Do? – 4 New Offences

Giving a bribe Taking a bribe Bribing a foreign public official

(all apply to both companies and individuals) Failing to prevent bribery

(applies to companies only, strict liability)

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A Step Further than the Americans

Applies to anyone doing business in UK Zero tolerance approach - no grease

payments Private and public business deals are

caught

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Casting a Wide Net

Failing to prevent bribery is a strict liability offence – defence of “adequate procedures”

Foreign Public Official is widely defined No grease payments allowed Corporate hospitality or criminal

kickback? Tax havens

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Is it fair?

Meddling in other countries’ affairs? Or boxing clever? Self-cleaning Is it worth the risk?

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Where will the Axe Fall?

Zero tolerance in the Act, prosecutor discretion in practice; no automatic exceptions, no bright lines

SFO’s plans SFO’s budget International co-operation Plea bargaining Easy targets

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A Source of Inspiration?

Companies can be criminals in the UK Playing by the rules Virtue in vagueness The self-cleaning kettle Stoking debate

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Any Questions?

Katie Schoultz

Schoultz & Partners, Law Office

[email protected]

Tel: 603 451 079

www.schoultzpartners.eu