Corruption is a complex area of law, and one that even the government and lawmakers have struggled to clearly define. While bribery of any official is considered a criminal act, there are many loopholes but there are also areas of the law that mean law abiding individuals could suffer the consequences of criminal conviction. It is not just individuals that are at risk, either, as new legislation dictates that businesses must be able to show that they had put adequate measures in place to prevent corruption from taking place, otherwise they too can be found guilty.
Conducting business abroad can be challenging, and certain countries carry greater risks than others when it comes to the potential for being subject to corruption. While the UK has taken steps to improve its own laws regarding bribery and corruption, there are other countries where it is rife and where laws do little to protect foreign entities.
Doing business abroad will often require the use of a consultant, an agent, or another third party within that country. Businesses use these third parties in order to try and avoid things like corruption, but the use of sales commissions as a business model means that even these transactions and these relationships can be prone to corruption and bribery.
Laws and legislation are different all around the world. What may seem like a bogus charge, or an unfair levy to a UK businessperson may be perfectly acceptable in the host country. On the other hand, it could be an attempt to distort money from your organisation. If you believe that you have fallen foul to some form of international corruption, then it is important that you take action. It is still possible to try and recoup any money you have wrongfully been charged, even if it was paid to an organisation abroad.
International corruption is a complex area of law, and its complexity is further exacerbated by the fact that it more commonly occurs in countries where laws and regulations are not as strict as they are here in the UK. For this reason, it is vital that you choose experienced and skilled legal representation from a direct access fraud barrister to assist in your case.
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