Tariffs are not the only weapon of retaliation countries may wield in a trade war. Governments can pressure trade adversaries at the bargaining table by opening other fronts, such as limiting foreign investment, halting drug enforcement cooperation, or, of particular concern to the corporate world, scrutinizing companies doing business within their jurisdictions. What does this mean?… Continue Reading
In the first part of this three-part post, we examined “cryptocompliance” as an emerging focus of various Asian regulators, click here. Next, we analyze European (and intergovernmental) attitudes. As will become clear, there is perhaps a healthy blend on display between “cryptocaution” and “cryptofriendliness.” Countries such as the UK and France are making an effort … Continue Reading
The United Kingdom’s regime against bribery, corruption and fraud is operating in a new landscape following the introduction in August 2015 of the International Corruption Unit (ICU), a new governmental agency created under the auspices of the Department for International Development (DFID). The latest step in the clampdown on nefarious business practices came as the … Continue Reading
Despite the fact that the Bribery Act 2010 (the “Act”) came into force on 1 July 2011, a recent government study has found that only two-thirds of SMEs are aware of the Act or its corporate offence for failure to prevent bribery (under section 7 of the Act). Of those that were aware of the … Continue Reading
The UK Anti-Corruption Plan, published in late 2014, sets the strategic direction for anti-corruption activity in the UK. It contains 66 action points that the UK government will undertake by the end of 2015 in line with four components: Pursue – prosecuting and disrupting people engaged in corruption; Prevent – preventing people from engaging in corruption; … Continue Reading
We have reported previously that the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has confirmed its commitment to prosecuting bribery and corruption and that although there is yet to be a “big case” under the UK Bribery Act 2010, the SFO are busy investigating companies it suspects may have broken the law. As we approach the end … Continue Reading
David Green QC, the newly-installed director of the Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”), has taken action in the High Court against Oxford Publishing Limited (“OPL”), which ordered it to pay £1,895,435, in relation to the unlawful conduct of OPL’s subsidiaries in Tanzania and Kenya. OPL is owned by Oxford University Press (“OUP”), which is the publishing … Continue Reading
Last week, one of London’s oldest insurance brokers, Willis Limited (“Willis”), was fined by the UK Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) for failing to counter the risks of bribery and corruption. The £7 million penalty was handed down to Willis in the FSA’s Final Notice (PDF/80.3KB/24 pages) on 21 July 2011. Conduct From 2005 to 2009, … Continue Reading
Thomson Reuters Accelus has recently published a special report (PDF/1.43MB/28 pages) on anti-bribery and corruption and the increased burden on senior management. It is particularly pertinent in light of the Bribery Act 2010 (“Act”) coming into force tomorrow. Among other things, it contains some useful discussion on: sector specific issues and guidance; whether foreign issuers with a London … Continue Reading
For further details about the guidance recently published by the Ministry of Justice on the Bribery Act 2010, please read our Review (PDF/369KB). Among other things, the Review contains useful information on: corporate hospitality; facilitation payments; commercial organisations; and associated persons.… Continue Reading
The wait is over. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has today published the long awaited guidance for commercial organisations on procedures that they can put into place to prevent bribery. The following documents were made available on the MOJ website this morning: Guidance (PDF) on the Bribery Act 2010 (Act); and Quick Start Guide (PDF) on the … Continue Reading
