Firms have been advised to use a further delay to the implementation of the Bribery Act to consider its impact on their business, according to David O’Hanlon, associate for law firm Thomas Eggar.

Last week the Ministry of Justice confirmed the Bribery Act, due to come into force last October before being postponed until April, has been delayed for a second time. Any businesses giving gifts, offering hospitality days or any form of inducement will be at risk of falling foul of the new legislation. 

O’Hanlon says: “The delay in issuing the guidance demonstrates the likely difficulty the government is facing in producing clear guidance that will bear close scrutiny given the potentially wide-ranging impact of the Act.

“This delay may prove helpful to a number of companies who are not yet aware of the potential implications of the Bribery Act and the ramifications for their business.

“With the Act creating corporate liability and potential personal liability for a company’s directors and officers, businesses would be well advised to use this hiatus to review the Act and consider the implications and risks to their operations if they have not already done so.”