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Passive bribery meaning

What does Passive bribery mean?
In practice, passive bribery describes recipient‑side conduct: requesting, agreeing to receive, or accepting a bribe (a financial or other advantage), whether for oneself or for another, and whether or not the advantage is ultimately obtained. Across the UK, the Bribery Act 2010 labels this as the offence of “being bribed” (section 2). Liability arises where the request, agreement or acceptance is linked to the improper performance of a relevant function or activity, and can be direct or through a third party. It applies in both public and private sectors and covers advantages sought as an inducement or reward. In Ireland, the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 criminalises corruptly requesting, accepting, obtaining or agreeing to accept a gift, consideration or advantage as an inducement to act (or omit to act) in relation to one’s office, employment, position or business. “Passive bribery” is a practitioner’s shorthand; the statutes use “being bribed” (UK) and “accepting” or “obtaining” an advantage (Ireland). The term is commonly used to distinguish this offence from active bribery (offering, promising or giving a bribe). It is significant for criminal risk assessments, compliance programmes and internal investigations in England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, where usage and core elements...
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View the related News about Passive bribery

NEWS
FSMA s 90A: High Court declines to follow Barclays on 'common reliance'; passive investors' and delay claims against Standard Chartered survive strike-out; £1.5bn action to trial October 2026

Standard Chartered has lost a bid to cut hundreds of millions of pounds out of a UK lawsuit by investors who claim they lost out due to the investment bank’s complicity in bribery and sanctions busting Hundreds of investment funds seek £1.5bn, saying they suffered losses after the bank minimised the extent of its role in sanctions breaches. In 2019, Standard Chartered paid US$1.1bn to US and UK regulators to settle claims it broke sanctions rules on Iran and elsewhere, which investors say underscores their action...

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NEWS
Gifts and Hospitality under the UK Bribery Act 2010: No De Minimis Rule, Adequate Procedures, Facilitation Payments, and SFO Expectations

De minimis non curat lex translates as ‘the law does not trouble itself with trifles’. Yet the Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) suggests otherwise, clearly. Commencing on 1 July 2011, BA 2010 overhauled and superseded antiquated bribery and corruption statutes. It answered criticism of the UK framework from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Act signals the government’s uncompromising stance on bribery in UK commerce. Though concise—only 20 sections and two schedules—it reaches broadly across jurisdictions, establishes wide-ranging criminal prohibitions, and captures both individuals and companies operating in private and public spheres. Its effect spans both private enterprise and public administration. Matthew Vernon of Osborne Clarke explores the principal issues and risks for businesses around corporate hospitality and gifting, and outlines what organisations can anticipate from the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). Its scope is wide, with effect across private and public sectors alike. Failing to prevent bribery BA 2010 contains three core offences: offering or giving a bribe to another person (active...

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View the related Practice Notes about Passive bribery

PRACTICE NOTES
UK Bribery Act 2010: Active and Passive Bribery, Foreign Public Officials: offences, territorial scope, corporate liability, defences, prosecution consent, DPAs and sentencing

The Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) criminalises: offering or giving a bribe to another person (active bribery) requesting, agreeing to receive, or accepting a bribe (passive bribery) bribing a foreign public official for a business or commercial organisation only, failing to prevent bribery The purpose of this Practice Note is to present a general overview of the active and passive bribery offences in BA 2010, ss 1 and 2, together with the offence of bribing a foreign public official under BA 2010, s 6; in essence, the giving or receiving of bribes. It does not include a synopsis of the corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery, which is dealt with in Practice Note: Failure to prevent bribery—the offence. This Practice Note should be considered alongside Practice Note: The Bribery Act 2010—an introductory guide. BA 2010 came into force on 1 July 2011. Conduct occurring prior to commencement of BA 2010 is prosecuted under the previous law; see Practice Notes: Corruption...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Archived sentencing tracker: pre-Bribery Act 2010 corruption offences—convictions, appeal outcomes and penalties (PCA 1906 and related conspiracies)

ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is not maintained. It summarises notable convictions under the pre‑Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) corruption regime, offering brief case details. For the scope and territorial reach of pre‑BA 2010 corruption offences, plus updates on ongoing investigations and practical insight into how prosecutions progress, see Practice Notes: Corruption and common law bribery—pre‑Bribery Act 2010 [Archived] Pre BA 2010 bribery and corruption—Practicalities [Archived] For the current regime under BA 2010, see Practice Notes: The Bribery Act 2010—an introductory guide Failure to prevent bribery—the offence Active bribery, passive bribery and bribing foreign public officials Bribery Act 2010—sentence tracker Corruption sentence tracker This tracker outlines noteworthy convictions secured under the pre‑BA 2010 corruption framework. Case: R v GPT Special Project Management (not reported by LexisNexis®) Offences: Corruption contrary to section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 (PCA 1906) Sentencing: Following a...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Pre-Bribery Act 2010 UK corruption offences: common law and Prevention of Corruption Acts; scope, extra-territorial reach, corporate liability, penalties and sentencing

ARCHIVED: This archived Practice Note serves as a practical and comprehensive working guide to the law of corruption in the UK prior to the Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) taking effect. It sets out the position under the pre‑BA 2010 framework, which comprises the following: the common law offence of bribery the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act 1889 (PBCPA 1889) the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 (PCA 1906) and the Prevention of Corruption Act 1916 (PCA 1916) Collectively, these instruments are described as the pre‑BA 2010 regime, which is the expression adopted for the remainder of this Practice Note and used consistently. The Note explores that regime and considers its practical implications for both individuals and businesses in practice. To aid those advising on the practicalities of prosecuting and defending investigations and prosecutions under the pre‑BA 2010 regime, see Practice Note: Pre BA 2010 bribery and corruption—Practicalities [Archived]. For further information on the current regime that applies under BA 2010,...

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View the related Precedents about Passive bribery

PRECEDENTS
Exclusive (or Shared Exclusive) EEA Distribution Agreement — England and Wales law; VBER-compliant; active and passive sales restrictions; online marketplace restrictions; minimum purchase targets; IP licence; termination and compliance schedules

Parties This Agreement is executed on [ date ] [ insert name of party ] [ of OR a company incorporated in England and Wales under number [ insert registered number ] with its registered office at ] [ insert address ] ( Manufacturer ); and [ insert name of party ] [ of OR a company incorporated in [ country ] under number [ insert registered number ] with its registered office at ] [ insert address ] ( Distributor ); Each of the Manufacturer and the Distributor is a party, and together they constitute the parties. Background (A) The Manufacturer produces [ and supplies ] the Products. (B) The Distributor has agreed to distribute [ and support ] the Products on [ an exclusive OR a shared exclusive ] basis in the Territory, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement...

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PRECEDENTS
Precedent Selective Distribution Agreement (Non‑Exclusive): VABEO‑Compliant terms on Active/Passive Sales, Online Marketplaces, Minimum Purchases and Trade Mark Licensing (England and Wales Law)

This Agreement is entered into on [ insert date ] Parties 1 [ insert name of party ] [ of OR a company incorporated in [ England and Wales ] under number [ insert registered number ] whose registered office is at ] [ insert address ] ( Manufacturer ) 2 [ insert name of party ] [ of OR a company incorporated in [ England and Wales ] under number [ insert registered number ] whose registered office is at ] [ insert address ] ( Distributor ) (The Manufacturer and the Distributor are each a party and, collectively, both the parties.) Background (A) The Manufacturer [ manufactures and ] supplies the [ [ luxury OR premium OR top of market ] ] Products, which are [ associated with [ high OR the highest ] standards of quality in their field ]. (B) The image, and the level of service linked to the Products, are of [ the...

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