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Bribery

s.1, s.2, s.6 Bribery Act 2010 · Triable either way

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Sentencing framework

The guideline for sentencing of bribery offences involves assessing the severity of the offence based on the offender's culpability and the harm caused. It specifies a starting point for sentences, with maximum penalties of up to 10 years’ custody, while also considering a full range of aggravating and mitigating factors that may impact the final sentence, thus allowing flexibility and ensuring a fair approach.

Maximum sentence

10 years’ custody

Court

Triable either way

Offence range

Discharge – 8 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Offence committed whilst on bail
  • ·Steps taken to prevent victims reporting
  • ·Attempts to conceal evidence
  • ·Established evidence of community impact
  • ·Failure to comply with current court orders
  • ·Offence committed on licence or post sentence supervision

Mitigating factors

  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Remorse
  • ·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct
  • ·Serious medical conditions requiring urgent treatment
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity
  • ·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
  • ·Cooperation with investigation
  • ·Pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care
  • ·Difficult background or personal circumstances
  • ·Prospects of or in work, training, or education

Sentencing range explorer

Select the culpability level and harm category to see the guideline's starting point and category range. This is an educational illustration of the published guideline — not a sentence calculation, and not legal advice. Courts apply the full step-by-step process, aggravating and mitigating factors, and the totality principle.

Culpability

Harm

Select a culpability level and a harm category above.

The sentencing process, step by step

  1. Step 1 — determining the offence category
  2. Step 2 — assessing culpability and harm
  3. Step 3 — considering factors indicating a reduction, such as assistance to the prosecution
  4. Step 4 — reduction for guilty pleas
  5. Step 5 — applying the totality principle
  6. Step 6 — ordering compensation and ancillary orders
  7. Step 7 — providing reasons for the sentence
  8. Step 8 — considering time spent on bail

Guideline notes

  • The court should consider the economic circumstances of the offender when imposing a fine. If community orders are necessary, the effect on dependants must also be taken into account.

Always read the full guideline

This is a one-page summary. For any live case, sentencing exercise, or legal advice the authoritative source is the Sentencing Council's own definitive guideline — including the category bands, step-by-step sentencing approach, and all statutory factors not captured here.

Open the full guideline on sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Source: Sentencing Council · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-28. Not legal advice — see a regulated adviser for any live case.