Fixed packages from Keystone Law. The Bribery Act is now in force and applies to all businesses operating in the UK or with a presence in the UK.

According to a recent independent survey by Ernst & Young of 1,000 businesses, “almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of those questioned had never heard of the Bribery Act. More worrying still, of the 28 per cent who had heard of the Act, only just over half felt they had received adequate training to ensure compliance.”

The offences are:

• offering, promising or giving a bribe;
• requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting a bribe; and
• bribery of a foreign public official in order to obtain or retain business or an advantage in the conduct of business;
• failure of commercial organisations to prevent bribery.

The penalties for committing any of these offences are up to 10 years imprisonment and/or disqualification from being a director for the individual concerned and an unlimited fine.

Keystone Law has developed two anti-bribery packages to help businesses assess and address their own risk:

Tailored Anti-Bribery Fixed Fee Package

• Bribery Risk Audit to assess potential risk areas within a business where bribery may take place, including a telephone discussion of bribery risk and compliance options (up to 1 hour).
• Tailored Bribery Act Policy/Review of existing Bribery Act Policy in the light of our Bribery Risk Audit.
• Tailored Whistleblower Policy/Review of existing Whistleblower Policy.
• Tailored Memorandum to Board of Directors, demonstrating top-level awareness and commitment to anti-bribery procedures.

The Tailored Anti-Bribery Fixed Fee Package costs £499 plus VAT.

Tailored Anti-Bribery Fixed Fee Package with Compliance Training

All the elements comprised in the Tailored Anti-Bribery Fixed Fee Package, plus:

• Personal compliance training and guidance for the officer in charge of anti-bribery compliance, including attendance at your offices (subject to certain geographic exceptions).
• A compliance training pack to be used by the officer in charge of anti-bribery compliance when training colleagues and staff.

The Tailored Anti-Bribery Fixed Fee Package with Compliance Training costs £998 plus VAT.

These packages have been prepared specifically for businesses operating solely in the UK with fewer than 50 employees. If your business operates outside of the UK and/or has over 50 employees, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss your requirements.

For information contact Keystone Law www.keystonelaw.co.uk or e-mail enquiries@keystonelaw.co.uk or call 020 7152 6550.