The Bribery Act came into force on July 1, 2011, repealing and replacing all English bribery laws in force before that point. It criminalizes both private and public sector bribery and also includes a strict liability corporate offense of failure to prevent bribery.
Under the Bribery Act, a court can impose disgorgement and unlimited fines, and sentences of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The Serious Fraud Office is the primary agency responsible for enforcement of the Bribery Act, although the Crown Prosecution Service can also prosecute Bribery Act offenses.