Anti-corruption clause
A provision requiring the parties to comply with anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.
Definici贸n
An anti-corruption clause commits each party to refrain from bribery and to comply with applicable anti-corruption laws, often referencing international frameworks such as the UK Bribery Act and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act alongside local criminal-law prohibitions. The Netherlands has no single dedicated statute; bribery is addressed through corruption offences in the Criminal Code (Wetboek van Strafrecht) and corporate compliance standards. Breach typically gives an immediate right to terminate.
Ejemplo
The anti-corruption clause lets the principal terminate immediately if the agent is found to have paid a bribe to win business.
Por qu茅 es un riesgo para la empresa
A contracting party can face criminal prosecution, regulatory sanctions, and reputational damage if a third party acting on its behalf pays a bribe, even if the party itself was unaware. The UK Bribery Act in particular applies to conduct anywhere in the world by associated persons. Without a contractual anti-corruption clause backed by monitoring, a business has limited defences if an agent or supplier is found to have engaged in corrupt practices.
C贸mo gestionarlo
- Include an anti-corruption clause in every contract with agents, distributors, and third-party intermediaries.
- Back the clause with an audit right so you can verify compliance, especially in high-risk markets or sectors.
- Train counterparties and staff on what the clause requires and document that training.
- Ensure the clause gives an immediate termination right on proven breach, without a cure period.
Referencias legales
- Sr art. 177 Dutch Criminal Code: bribery offences
Salvo indicaci贸n en contrario, las referencias remiten al derecho neerland茅s (Burgerlijk Wetboek, el C贸digo Civil neerland茅s); los instrumentos de la UE como el RGPD se aplican en toda la UE. Se trata de informaci贸n general, no de asesoramiento legal. Otras jurisdicciones tratan estos conceptos de forma distinta. Verifique el texto vigente y su situaci贸n con un abogado cualificado.
Preguntas frecuentes
Preguntas comunes sobre este t茅rmino.