Business ethics: promoting change through corporate criminal responsibility

The UK government is in the process of introducing a series of new criminal offences with the intention that corporates engaged in some business activity in the UK are properly held to account for any criminal activity undertaken by anyone associated with the company, wherever in the world that conduct may take place.

The new offences are expected to be modelled on the “failure to prevent” offence, and “adequate procedures” defence, of the Bribery Act 2010. The recent Rolls Royce decision shows how draconian the penalties for non-compliance can be.

We have produced a short series of guidance notes setting out the background and some practical steps that can be taken at this stage to avoid criminal sanctions. If you would to receive a copy of these notes or discuss this issue with us in further detail please get in touch.