Bribery Act 2010: Joint Prosecution Guidance of The Director of the Serious Fraud Office and The Director of Public Prosecutions
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This guidance outlines the prosecutorial decision-making approach concerning offences under the Bribery Act 2010. It highlights the necessity for personal consent from the DPP or DSFO for prosecutions, the key legal elements of bribery offences, and the public interest considerations in pursuing such cases. The guidance also details the scope, legal framework, and transitional provisions of the Act, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ethical standards in business and government.
Key points
- The DPP or DSFO must personally consent to prosecutions under the Bribery Act 2010.
- Prosecutors must apply the Full Code Test regarding sufficient evidence and public interest.
- Bribery offences are defined under sections for active bribery, passive bribery, and the bribery of foreign public officials.
- The Act covers broad jurisdiction, including offences committed abroad by UK-connected individuals or organizations.
- Transition provisions ensure no liability for offences committed before the Act's commencement.
- Commercial organizations are encouraged to implement adequate anti-bribery procedures.
Public-interest factors
- Conviction likely to lead to significant sentences.
- Bribery offences may be premeditated and involve corruption.
- Individuals in authority may exploit their positions through bribery.
- Self-reporting and remedial actions can influence prosecution decisions.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.