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On 22 September 2020, the UK Government published its response to the Transparency in Supply Chains Consultation.

On 6 July 2020, the UK Government enacted the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 ("Sanction Regulations"), which is secondary legislation made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 ("SAMLA"). This marks the first time that the UK has independently sanctioned people or organisations for human rights violations and abuses under a UK-only regime. Although limited in scope at this stage, there are already calls to increase the number of individuals and organisations who are targeted by the new 'Magnitsky' style sanctions regime.

Respect for the human rights of workers in businesses across all jurisdictions and supply chains is now recognised as a core part of corporate compliance and accountability. Yet despite advances in this area, including the introduction of ground-breaking legislation such as the UK's Modern Slavery Act, recent allegations of poor working conditions in Leicester's clothing factories highlight that modern slavery remains a real risk to both UK and overseas workers.

Bribery and corruption risks are often elevated in times of crisis and affect all aspects of the compliance world. This is particularly true in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic due to a number of factors, including a financially volatile climate, increased cyber-security threats and diverted corporate focus towards other COVID-19 risks.

Welcome to the latest edition of our Anti-Bribery Newsletter, our regular review of developments in the fight against bribery and corruption in the UK and other jurisdictions.

Over a year after its initial formation, on 31 March 2020 France, Germany and the United Kingdom (the "E3") confirmed that the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges ("INSTEX") had successfully concluded its first transaction; facilitating the export of medical goods from Europe to Iran to assist with Iran's response to COVID-19.

Airbus's recently-concluded Deferred Prosecution Agreement ("DPA") with the Serious Fraud Office ("SFO") and regulators in France and the United States ended a long-running corruption probe with a record-breaking €3.6bn global settlement, of which €991mn relates to fines and costs in the UK.

The global spread of coronavirus (now officially called Covid-19) presents a number of challenges to the UK business community. Whilst we hope that the outbreak is contained and does not become a pandemic, we recognise that businesses have to make contingency plans for a worst case scenario.

The COVID-19 crisis is moving at an alarming pace and it may only be a matter of time before the UK Government announces measures to try to contain its spread. In particular, consumer-facing businesses responsible for holding large-scale public gatherings (such as concerts, performances or conferences) are not only facing the prospect of customers pulling out, but that they themselves may have to cancel such events.

Our regular round-up of recent developments and topics for your radar, and news of planned training and networking events for in-house counsel in 2020.

Many organisations are failing to publish information on their payment practices, which could lead to being barred from government contracts or even the spectre of regulatory enforcement.

Travers Smith LLP has advised longstanding client Kester Capital LLP ("Kester") on the acquisition of Compliance Online Limited ("Compliance Online") by a newco backed by Kester.

Travers Smith LLP has advised new client Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners (AJ Capital Partners) on its acquisition of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cambridge City Centre.

Doug Bryden has contributed to the 'Governance and Business Ethics: Balancing Best Practice Against Potential Legal Risk' chapter of the IGLG's Corporate Governance Laws and Regulations 2019. 

Brexit will give rise to an array of complex commercial and legal issues in the regulatory, trade and environmental law spheres. These apply across the spectrum - from site-based operations, to products, export and trade, to regulated industries, through to the governance of compliance and risk by businesses more generally.

Doug Bryden and John Buttanshaw write for Who's Who Legal on Responsible investment.