It also introduced a new offence of ‘failing to prevent’ bribery being carried out on behalf of a commercial organisation.

The term ‘commercial organisation’ is defined broadly to include businesses and charitable or community organisations that engage in commercial activities.

Bribery means offering a financial or other incentive to a person in order to encourage them to perform their duties improperly. An example would be offering a cash payment to a decision maker to persuade them to make a decision favourable to the person paying the bribe.

The Act does not prohibit the provision of hospitality and similar business expenditure.

This factsheet explains what the Act covers, who it applies to, and what obligations there are under the Act.