Businesses have just three months to ensure they comply with the Bribery Act, after Justice Secretary Ken Clarke today (30 March) announced that the UK's updated anti-corruption laws will come into force on 1 July.

The new guidelines issued earlier today confirm that a business can be held liable if a senior person within the organisation commits a bribery offence.

Organisations may also be liable for failing to prevent bribery conducted on their behalf, but only if the person committing the crime performs services connected with the business – this means companies are unlikely to face action because of the actions of suppliers.