Court clerk faces first prosecution under Bribery Act

United Kingdom

A court clerk from East London is the first person to be charged under the new anti-bribery legislation. Munir Yakub Patel, 21, is charged with contravening section 2 of the Bribery Act 2010 for "requesting and receiving a bribe intending to improperly perform his functions" while working at Redbridge Magistrates’ Court in Ilford.

The police were alerted after a man was allegedly filmed by The Sun promising an individual he would keep a traffic penalty off a legal database in exchange for £500. No prosecution has yet been brought under section 7 of the Act, which came into force on 1 July this year.

This section creates a new offence which can be committed by commercial organisations which fail to prevent persons associated with them from committing bribery on their behalf. Sanctions include unlimited fines and a permanent ban from tendering for government contracts across the European Union, whilst individuals could face up to ten years in prison.

Organisations which have adequate procedures in place to prevent persons associated with it from bribing will have a full defence.

CMS Cameron McKenna can provide comprehensive advice to ensure your organisation complies with the Act. For further information please contact Valerie Allan or Omar Qureshi.