Corruption and Bribery

The corruption and bribery landscape has changed dramatically in recent years and will continue to do so.

In 2008 Jack Straw became the country's first Anti Corruption Champion, a role subsequently taken on by Ken Clarke QC. The Serious Fraud Office have a new policy on self reporting and corporate leniency.Under the Bribery Act 2010 a company can be prosecuted for an act of bribery on part of an employee unless it had in place adequate measures to prevent such behaviour.

The Act came into force on July 1st 2011. From that date companies need to ensure that they have adequate anti bribery measures in place, so as to prevent an act of bribery being committed on behalf of the company and afford the organisation a defence in the event that an act of bribery is committed on it's behalf.

The provision of the Bribery Act will impact on all businesses large and small.

Matthew Claughton has written a number of articles on the Bribery Act, some of which can be accessed below.

The Bribery Act 2010

Bribery Act 2010 Is Your Business At Risk?

Bribery Act 2010 – Adequate Anti Bribery Procedures Must Be In Place By July 2011

Olliers undertakes Risk Assessments on behalf of companies. These can be extremely straightforward and will help the company implement an anti bribery strategy that is realistic and proportionate to the bribery risks the company faces.

If you need to discuss any allegation of corruption or bribery or you require assistance with an anti bribery strategy, contact Matthew Claughton or Richard Holliday at this office.

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Notable cases

2011:R –v- B, Liverpool Crown Court, acquittal of defendant in multi-million pound class A drugs conspiracy.
2011:R –v- B, Northampton Crown Court, Olliers act for Company Director in multi-million MTIC fraud.
2011:R v S,York Crown Court instructed by accountant alleged to have conspired to defraud HMRC.
2011:R –v- B, York Crown Court, representation of defendant facing allegation of conspiracy to steal from department for Food and Rural Affairs.
2011: R –v- B, Manchester Crown Court, acquittal of client on murder allegation.
2010:R –v- T, Bradford Crown Court. acquittal of client in conspiracy to supply Class B.
2011:R-v-E, Manchester Crown Court. acquittal of client in multi-handed local council fraud.
2011:R –v- F, Manchester Crown Court, Company Director acquitted in multi-million pound alcohol diversion fraud.
2011 : R –v- G, Kingston Crown Court, representation of Company Director in connection with £20million MTIC fraud.
2011:R –v- P, Birmingham Crown Court, Olliers instructed by defendant alleged to have been involved in largest ever attempt to import Class A drugs into the UK.
2011:R –v- J, Manchester Crown Court, representation of financial advisor facing allegation of conspiracy to commit fraud during the course of a buy to let business.
2011:R –v- B, Mold Crown Court, Olliers act for charity co-ordinator facing allegations of misappropriation of funds received from Welsh Government Assembly.
2011: R –v- B, Southwark Crown Court, representation of Director of a potato company facing bribery allegations involving major supermarket.
2011:Olliers instructed by former Managing Director plc in connection with SFO investigation into collapse of business with bank debts of £75million.
2011: R –v- C, Southwark Crown Court, representation of former solicitor accused of conspiring to defraud Building Society of £500,00.00.
2010: R –v- S, Manchester Crown Court, Acquittal of defendant in Facebook Juror Case, multi-million pound drugs conspiracy.
2011: R –v- A, Kingston Crown Court, Olliers act for a CEO of Dubai company alleged to have been involved in multi-million pound money laundering offences
2010:R –v- G, Mold Crown Court, Company Director acquitted following 5 week Trading Standards Timeshare prosecution.