The Middle East Association is delighted to have partnered with Reed Smith LLP who are hosting a seminar entitled 'Preventing Corruption - New Implications for Business of the Bribery Act 2010'. 

Establishing good relationships with business partners overseas is an essential aspect of successfully doing business abroad. Social customs such as gift-giving are often used for this purpose. However, gift-giving as well as hospitality, commission payments, grants, charitable donations and other business practices can amount to bribery leaving the unwary business, its directors and employees exposed to investigation by the authorities resulting in fines, imprisonment and exclusion from public sector contracts.  

The Bribery Act 2010 received Royal Assent in April and is likely to come into force this year. The Act aims to deter bribery in the UK and abroad by imposing strict standards of business conduct on corporations and individuals. A team of lawyers from Reed Smith’s Global Regulatory Enforcement Group will explain how the Act changes the law on bribery and how it will affect the conduct of business in the UK and the Middle East, as well as focussing on the new corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery. Preventing Corruption will provide practical advice to help businesses avoid being liable to prosecution under the Act and will look at the following issues: 

• What is the new Bribery Act 2010?
• How will the Bribery Act affect your business in the Middle East?
• Which industry sectors are particularly at risk?
• How do you ensure your conduct falls on the right side of the law?
• How do you implement clear and transparent “anti bribery” policies?

Preventing Corruption will be held at Reed Smith’s 32nd floor function suite in the City. The morning seminar will provide delegates with an opportunity to engage in open dialogue about the implications of the Act. Breakfast will be provided and there is no cost to attend the event.