London; February 16, 2016 – Law firm Sullivan & Worcester has contributed to the UK Government’s consultation on UK Export Finance (UKEF)'s anti-bribery and corruption declarations and undertakings (D&Us). UKEF is the UK government's export credit agency.
The UK Government's response to its anti-bribery and corruption consultation was published on 28th January 2016. The response is the result of almost a year of consultation. It sought the views of professionals in the export finance community regarding:
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Simplification of the anti-bribery and corruption declarations and undertakings with respect to UKEF's documentation;
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Adaptation of these provisions and the anti-bribery and corruption procedures UKEF applies to new products which are not linked to specific export contracts; and
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UKEF’s approach to future consultations in relation to anti-bribery and corruption procedures.
Led by Mark Norris, Sullivan & Worcester was the only law firm to respond to the UK Government's consultation, raising issues and suggestions in relation to:
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Deferred Prosecution Agreements and Civil Forfeiture Orders;
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Possible changes to export finance due diligence so that D&Us should more closely follow the requirements of the OECD Bribery Recommendations;
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Recommendations regarding possible revisions to the EXIP Policy Document in relation to the definition of 'Corrupt Activity' and 'any offence' in particular how that aligns with the UK Bribery Act 2010; and
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Suggested use by the UKEF of the terminology of the UK Bribery Act.
A number of Sullivan & Worcester’s recommendations were specifically accepted by the UK Government.
Mark Norris, partner in the Trade & Export Finance Group at Sullivan & Worcester's London office, commented: "As a firm we work closely with exporters, financiers and export credit agencies globally on trade and export finance transactions. For all parties, compliance with anti-bribery and corruption legislation is key to ensuring the success of export transactions. To avoid unnecessary cost and delay, clarity as to what is required so as to ensure compliance is particularly important. We therefore welcome the UK Government’s initiative to clarify and simplify UKEF’s requirements."
The full UK Government response to the consultation can be read in full, here:
Sullivan & Worcester export finance partner Mark Norris led the firm's response to this consultation. He advises exporters, financial institutions and export credit agencies in relation to export finance including anti-bribery and corruption legislation.
