On March 25, 2009, the UK Ministry of Justice published a draft Bribery Bill that would update and consolidate the existing patchwork of anti-corruption legislation in the UK, while providing for new offenses and expanding the UK Government's territorial reach in this area.

While the bill still must progress through the parliamentary approval process—a process that can take many months and could result in various changes to the text of the bill—there is strong support for this legislation and it is likely that it will enter into law in some form. Given the broad scope of the bill, individuals and companies that have a close connection to the UK should be aware of its contents and what it may mean for corporate compliance requirements in the near future.

To read more about the bill, please click on the client alert, Draft UK Bribery Bill Would Expand Scope of UK Anti-Corruption Initiatives and Jurisdiction, written by WilmerHale partners Roger M. Witten, Kimberly A. Parker, Jay Holtmeier, Steven P. Finizio and associate D. Jason File.