The Government has announced that the Bribery Act 2010 is to come into force on 1st July 2011. The loose definition of bribery included in the guidance covers ‘giving someone a financial or other advantage to encourage that person to perform their functions or activities improperly or to reward that person for having already done so’. Any BWF members who operate abroad in countries where there is a high level of corruption or where generous ‘entertainment’ is part of the business culture are advised to look closely at the Act as business gifts and overseas bribes are both well within the scope of the law. It is also advisable to be fully aware of all actions which may take place on behalf of your business, as it will be for the courts to determine the limit of the law, with prison a possibility if it is broken. The Government does not intend that genuine hospitality or similar business expenditure that is reasonable and proportionate be caught by the Act, so companies can continue to provide bona fide hospitality, promotional or other business expenditure. For further clarification, a ‘quick start’ guide to the Act can be found here: //www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/docs/bribery-act-2010-guidance.pdf