Bribery Act 2010: Lords to take evidence from risk and compliance experts and the OECD
What impact has the Bribery Act 2010 had on companies? How effective is the Bribery Act? Is there adequate funding and resourcing for effective enforcement of the Bribery Act in the UK?
The House of Lords Bribery Act 2010 Committee will hear evidence from compliance and risk management experts and an OECD official as part of its post-legislative scrutiny inquiry on the Bribery Act 2010. The session will take place on Tuesday 16 October.
The inquiry is tasked with examining: the effectiveness of the Bribery Act 2010; whether there has been stricter prosecution of corrupt conduct, a higher conviction rate, and a reduction of such conduct; the impact of the Act on SMEs; and the use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements in relation to bribery offences.
Giving evidence to the Committee at 10.30am on Tuesday 16 October will be:
- Mark Anderson – Partner, Forensics, PwC
- John Bray – Director, Control Risks
Questions are likely to include:
- How have companies responded to the Bribery Act since it came into force? Has this response changed over time?
- How should SMEs go about developing or updating their anti-bribery and corruption policies, potentially with limited resources?
- A number of concepts in the Bribery Act, such as adequate procedures and associated persons, have been criticised for lacking clarity. Do you think understanding of these areas is improving with time?
Giving evidence at 11.30am will be:
- France Chain, Senior Legal Analyst, Anti-Corruption Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Questions are likely to include:
- How does the OECD view the UK's track record on prosecutions under the Bribery Act?
- Is enforcement of the Bribery Act 2010 resourced to the satisfaction of the OECD, and are the funding models of the SFO and the NCA capable of delivering effective enforcement of bribery in the UK and by UK companies abroad?
- How effective is the UK's Bribery Act by comparison with anti-bribery legislation in other OECD countries, and is the Act keeping pace with developments in other countries?
The evidence session will start at 10.30am in Committee Room 4.
