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February 2012
Putting lawyers in touch with the youth of Oldham
Pearson Hinchliffe partner, Michael Pitt, takes over as 2012 Oldham Law Association President.
MoreGovernment delays Bribery Act implementation by six months
23rd July 2010
The UK Government has announced that it is to put back the introduction of the Bribery Act the Bribery Act to April 2011 – after receiving royal assent in April it was previously expected to come into force this October.
The Government says this date will be put back to allow for a short consultation exercise and “awareness raising events” in September. Guidance will be published early in the New Year.
The aim of the delay is said to be to give companies time to familiarise themselves with the guidance and ensure they have put in place satisfactory procedures prior to the Act coming into force.
Criticism of the delay
However, the delay has been criticised by lobby group Transparency International UK which campaigns for anti-corruption measures.
Chandrashekhar Krishnan, executive director of lobby group said: “While guidance will be helpful for companies by clarifying some grey areas, it is extremely disappointing that the government has chosen to delay implementation of the Bribery Act."
"There is absolutely no reason that effective guidance could not have been published in time for the Act to commence in 2010. The danger is that under the guise of consultation attempts may be made by those who want to pursue 'business as usual' to water down the Bribery Act.”
He added: “The jury is now out on (the government’s) commitment to fighting corruption,” .
The Bribery Act 2010 Objectives
The Bribery Act creates several new offences carrying a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment or an unlimited fine for which employees, directors and businesses alike can be liable.
A Department of Justice statement said: “The Act will ensure the UK is at the forefront of the battle against bribery and pave the way for fairer practice by encouraging businesses to adopt anti-bribery safeguards.”
The Bribery Act 2010 is set to:
Introduce a corporate offence of failure to prevent bribery by persons working on behalf of a business. A business can avoid conviction if it can show that it has adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery.
Make it a criminal offence to give, promise or offer a bribe and to request, agree to receive or accept a bribe either at home or abroad. The measures cover bribery of a foreign public official.
Increase the maximum penalty for bribery from seven to 10 years’ imprisonment, with an unlimited fine.
For more information on the Bribery Act 2010, please contact Corporate Commercial Partner, Roger Hinchliffe, using the details below.
Contact Details: Roger Hinchliffe
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
0161 785 3501
January 2012
Company and commercial law reforms to reduce red tape
Companies of all shapes and sizes have been asked for their views on how to tackle unnecessary bureaucracy in company and commercial law.
MoreJanuary 2012
Increase in unfair dismissal qualifying period will apply only to new employees
From 6 April 2012 the qualifying period of service for making a claim increases from one to two years.
MoreJanuary 2012
Maximum compensation for unfair dismissal increases from 1 February 2012
Annual revision of employment tribunal award limits and other amounts payable under employment legislation.
MoreDecember 2011
Health and safety laws to be cut by half
Government plans to slash health and safety red tape will mean substantial savings for small firms, business groups have said.
MoreNovember 2011
Weight Watchers case: the importance to employers of employment status.
The Upper Tier Tribunal holds 1,700 ‘leaders’ at Weight Watchers were employees for tax purposes.
MoreSeptember 2011
How to Conduct a Disciplinary Hearing
A recent presentation by Employment solicitor, Susan Mayall, setting out the stages for handling a disciplinary, referencing the ACAS Code of Conduct.
June 2011
ACAS Advice leaflet “Holidays and Holiday Pay”
Download the guidance covering arrangements for holidays and holiday pay.
October 2010
Recent Case Study: Commercial Landlord and Tenant - An Authorised Guarantee Agreement
Authorised Guarantee Agreements keep the original tenant on the hook in case a third party assignee defaults; they should be drafted with care.
July 2010
Recent Case Study: Doing Battle in the Boardroom
How Pearson Hinchliffe Commercial Law helped members of the Board of Directors achieve the outcome they sought in their boardroom dispute with a senior executive director.
May 2010
How the Mergers & Acquisitions team helped Lanes Group PLC achieve their LAS sell-off
Drainage specialists dispose £12.3 million majority stake in Lanes Assistance Services.
March 2010
PH Employment Direct
The Employment team at Pearson Hinchliffe Commercial Law have created PH Employment Direct - a user-friendly and simple service that gives you access to the best advice at the end of a phone 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
February 2010
Oldham Construction Sector
On 3 February 2010 Corporate Commercial partner Roger Hinchliffe delivered a presentation entitled, ‘Joint Ventures’ to the Oldham Construction Sector group.
January 2010
Debt Recovery Service
With our specialist commercial Debt Recovery service you can significantly increase the speed and likelihood of recovering the money owed to your business.