What is a bribery offence?
The Bribery Act 2010 defines a bribery offence as being when a person gives, promises to give or offers to give another individual a financial advantage or other type of advantage in exchange for the recipient or intended recipient “improperly” performing a “relevant function or activity”.
The Act also defines being bribed as accepting, agreeing to accept or requesting a financial or other advantage in exchange for improperly performing a function or activity.
Acting “improperly” is defined as being where a function or activity is carried out in a way that would not be expected under normal circumstances, or in a way where good faith or impartiality have been breached.
Penalties for bribery offences
The exact penalties for being found guilty of (or pleading guilty to) a bribery offence will depend on the circumstances.
If the case is tried in a Magistrates’ Court then the maximum penalty is up to 12 months’ imprisonment and a fine of up to £5,000.
If the case is tried in Crown Court, the maximum penalty is up to 10 years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
A company director convicted of bribery is also likely to be disqualified from acting as a director for anywhere between 2 and 15 years, under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.
How to fund your defence against bribery charges
Police station representation for bribery charges
When arrested or interviewed under caution by the police or the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in relation to a bribery offence, you are entitled to free legal advice from a lawyer. Our criminal defence team includes several accredited Police Station Representatives who can advise and support you from the outset, ensuring we can start building an effective defence for you straightaway.
Legal aid for defence against bribery
If you are prosecuted for bribery in a Magistrates’ Court, a Representation Order can cover the full cost of your defence. This is dependent on you passing a means test to show you cannot fund your own defence and a merit test to demonstrate that providing you with a legal defence team is in the ‘Interests of Justice’.
If prosecuted for bribery in Crown Court, legal aid will normally only fund part of the cost of your defence. This will also be subject to means testing which will determine how much of the cost of your defence should be covered by a Representation Order and how much you will have to cover yourself. If you are found not guilty, any contribution you made towards the cost of your defence will be repaid with interest.
Why choose our bribery defence lawyers for your case?
Conspiracy Solicitor is a trading style of Bird and Co Solicitors LLP, a highly regarded East Midlands law firm with over 30 years’ experience representing clients facing charges and/or prosecution for corporate fraud offences across England and Wales.
Our criminal defence team has over 200 years of combined experience with an enviable reputation for success in bribery offences cases. We offer the clear, practical legal advice and skilled advocacy need to create the best possible legal strategy for your defence.
No matter how complex or challenging your situation, our bribery defence lawyers can help to secure a fair result.
How to secure representation by our specialist bribery lawyers
If you have not yet been granted a Representation Order for the cost of your defence and wish to have our bribery defence team represent you, simply get in touch and we will be happy to discuss your case.
If you have already been given legal aid with respect to a different solicitor or law firm, please take a look at our guide to transferring your case to Conspiracy Solicitors to find out whether you may be able to transfer your Legal Aid funding to our team.
Contact our bribery solicitors now
To get in touch with our team of expert criminal defence solicitors and dedicated bribery defence lawyers, use our simple contact form to request a call back or contact us on one of the following numbers:
- Call 0333 009 5968 – for standard enquiries during office hours
- WhatsApp 07535 215140 – for 24/7 emergency support including police station representation
