Fraud & bribery

Under the Bribery Act 2010, the following are offences:

1. A person is guilty of bribing where the person offers, promises or gives a financial or other advantage to another person, intends the advantage (i) to induce a person to perform improperly a relevant function or activity, or (ii) to reward a person for the improper performance of such a function or activity.
2. A person is guilty of being bribed if the person requests, agrees to receive or accepts a financial or other advantage intending that, in consequence, a relevant function or activity should be performed improperly.
3. A relevant function is any function of a public nature; any activity connected with a business, trade or profession; any activity performed in the course of a person's employment; or any activity performed by or on behalf of a body of persons whether corporate or unincorporated.

Bribes, or advantages, can take many forms, but commonly take the form of:

• Money
• Discounts
• Vouchers
• Loans
• Gifts
• Travel
• Accomodation
• Hospitality
• Preferential Treatment
• Business Advantage

If you have a reasonable suspicion of actual or attempted bribery or fraud, you must submit a written report to the School Secretary, the Director of Finance and Facilities or the Finance Director. A register of the incidents of fraud and bribery is recorded.

If you are reporting suspected bribery or fraud in relation to another individual, the School will consider the protection of any complainant’s identity and any wishes to remain anonymous. However, this cannot be guaranteed. Reports of suspected bribery or fraud can also be made through the School’s whistleblowing hotline (link).

1. Policy Against Bribery and Fraud (PDF)

2. Financial Regulations (PDF)

3. Anti Fraud and Bribery Training 

Face to face training sessions are also held periodically to register your interest please email the Head of Legal. 

This Facilitation Payments Guidance (PDF) is for staff and students who will be travelling overseas for any purpose, either research related or on regular school business and particularly those that are travelling to countries with high risk of corruption, although facilitation payments may also be made in the UK and Europe.

Facilitation payments are a type of bribe and are illegal under the UK Bribery 2010 and so should not be paid.  Facilitation payments are usually small, unofficial or covert payments which are sought in order to do a job properly or more quickly or for  preferential treatment, usually things you are already entitled to.  For example: customs clearance, work permits, licences, official documents and roadblocks.