UK: Fraud Advisory Panel report - 'hidden in plain sight: domestic corruption, fraud and the integrity deficit'

The Fraud Advisory Panel has published a report titled 'Hidden in plain sight: domestic corruption, fraud and the integrity deficit': see here (pdf). The report provides an overview of the anti-corruption framework in the UK as well as highlighting well-known and emerging areas of concern. It ends with a 'blueprint for action', arguing (amongst other things) for greater and easier access to court information and documents; the creation of a central public reporting mechanism (the Home Office is currently exploring options for a centralised reporting mechanism: see here, pdf); and the introduction of corporate criminal offence in respect of the failure to prevent economic crime (the subject of a Government call for evidence in 2017).

UK: Government publishes its anti-corruption strategy for 2017-2022

The Government has published its anti-corruption strategy for 2017-2022: see here (pdf). The strategy identifies priorities and proposed actions. It states, amongst other things, that in the current session of Parliament a draft Bill will be published for establishing a public register of beneficial ownership of overseas legal entities where they own or purchase property in the UK or participate in central government contracts (the creation of such a register was the subject of a consultation exercise that concluded earlier this year).

Ireland: the Criminal Justice (Corruption) Bill 2012 - general scheme published

The Department of Justice and Equality has published a draft general scheme of the Criminal Justice (Corruption) Bill 2012: see here (pdf). The purpose of the scheme is to clarify and strengthen the principal corruption offences. Head 13 outlines the circumstances in which a company will be guilty of an offence in respect of the corrupt acts of its directors, officers and employees, where there was the intention to obtain or retain business or an advantage for the company. A defence is provided where the company can prove that it took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.