UK businesses that engage in bribery to obtain business now face stiff penalties if they are caught. The Bribery Act 2010 received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010. It is an offence under the Act to bribe another person or to allow oneself to be bribed, and specifically it is an offence to bribe foreign public officials. These offences are punishable by an unlimited fine and/or a prison sentence of up to 10 years. The Act also makes failing to prevent bribery an offence punishable by an unlimited fine.
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