The UK Ministry of Justice has announced that the Bribery Act will be implemented in April 2011, six months later than originally anticipated.  The Bribery Act will introduce a comprehensive scheme of bribery offences in the private and public sectors, including the offences of bribery of a foreign public official and, in relation to commercial organisations, failing to prevent bribery. It will apply to bribes paid in the UK and overseas.  Implementation will follow a consultation exercise on what will constitute adequate procedures to combat bribery.  The Act requires the Government to publish guidelines on this subject, which it now plans to do in January 2011.  EAPD’s Guidance Note on the Bribery Act appears here.