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24 February 2012 / Merryck Lowe
Issue: 7502 / Categories: Features , Fraud , Expert Witness , Bribery , Profession
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Damp squib or slow burner?

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Merryck Lowe follows the progress of the Bribery Act six months down the line

The Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) came into force on 1 July 2011 and has now been in force for six months. However, apart from the prosecution under BA 2010 of Munir Yakub Patel in relation to allegations of misconduct during his employment at Redbridge Magistrates’ Court, London, there has been no prosecution show-piece.

A let-down?

BA 2010 may therefore appear to be a damp squib and, after all the hype and presentations, something of a let-down, but there was no good reason to expect immediate fireworks or a colourful crown court show staged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). Assuming that companies and individuals believe they can be caught and will be prosecuted, the impact of BA 2010 will not occur over six months, nor even a year—its effect is much deeper and long term. Its impact will be felt in a decade or a generation, not in the bright courtroom excitement

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