The United Nations Convention Against Corruption


Book Description

The United Nations Convention against Corruption includes 71 articles, and takes a notably comprehensive approach to the problem of corruption, as it addresses prevention, criminalization, international cooperation, and asset recovery. Since it came into force more than a decade ago, the Convention has attracted nearly universal participation by states. As a global and comprehensive convention, which establishes new rules in several areas of anti-corruption law and helps shape domestic laws and policies around the world, this treaty calls for scholarly study. This volume helps to fill a gap in existing academic literature by providing an invaluable reference work on the Convention. It provides systematic coverage of the treaty, with each chapter discussing the relevant travaux préparatoires, the text of the final article, comparisons with other anti-corruption treaties, and available information about domestic implementing legislation and enforcement. This commentary is designed to serve as a reference work for academics, lawyers, and policy-makers working in the anti-corruption field, and in the fields of transnational criminal law and domestic criminal law. Contributors include anti-corruption experts, scholars, and legal practitioners from around the globe.




State of Implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption


Book Description

This second edition of State of Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption: Criminalization, Law Enforcement and International Cooperation, which was launched during the 7th session of the Conference of the States Parties (Vienna, 6-10 November 2017).The study is based on the findings and results emanating from the first cycle reviews of the implementation of the Convention by 156 States parties (2010-2015). It contains a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of chapters III (Criminalization and law enforcement) and IV (International cooperation) of the Convention. More specifically, the study: (a) identifies and describes trends and patterns in the implementation of the above-mentioned chapters, focusing on systematic or, where possible, regional commonalities and variations; (b) highlights successes and good practices on the one hand, and challenges in implementation on the other; (c) provides an overview of the emerging understanding of the Convention and differences in the reviews, where they have been encountered.










The Global Anti-Corruption Regime


Book Description

This book tackles the challenging topic of corruption. It explores the evolution of a global prohibition regime against corrupt activity (the global anti-corruption regime). It analyses the structure of the transnational legal framework against corruption, evaluating the impact of global anti-corruption efforts at a national level. The book focuses on the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as the primary tool of the global anti-corruption regime. It provides new and engaging material gathered in the field, including first-hand accounts from actors at international, regional, and domestic levels. By documenting the experiences of diverse actors, the book makes a substantial contribution to literature on corruption and anti-corruption efforts. Synthesising empirical research with an exploration of theoretical literature on corruption and regime evolution results in novel suggestions for improvement of the global anti-corruption regime and its legal tools. The Global Anti-Corruption Regime is a well-rounded text with a wealth of new information that will be valuable to both academic and policy audiences. It clarifies the factors that prevent current anti-corruption efforts from successfully eliminating corrupt activity and applies the five-stage model of global prohibition regime evolution to the global anti-corruption regime. It will be of interest to researchers, academics, policymakers, and students interested in anti-corruption law, comparative law, transnational criminal law, international law, international relations, politics, economics, and trade.




Combating Corruption


Book Description

This is a truly excellent book: wide-ranging, meticulous scholarship, very well written and easy to read. It should be on the desks of every senior civil servant, government lawyer and politician in every African country. After this book, there is no excuse for not having in place the necessary legal framework and equally important, for not using that legal framework to combat corruption.' - Patrick McAuslan, Birkbeck University of London, UK Drawing on numerous recent examples of good and bad practice from around the continent, this insightful volume explores the legal issues involved in developing and enhancing good governance and accountability within African states, as well as addressing the need for other states worldwide to demonstrate the 'transnational political will' to support these efforts. John Hatchard considers the need for good governance, accountability and integrity in both the public and private sector. He studies how these issues are reflected in both the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. The book demonstrates that despite the vast majority of African states being party to these conventions, in practice, many of them continue to experience problems of bad governance, corporate bribery and the looting of state assets. It explores how the 'art of persuasion' can help develop the necessary political will through which to address these challenges at both the national and transnational levels. This unique and influential book will be of worldwide interest to those studying law, politics or business, as well as legal practitioners, policymakers, senior public officials, parliamentarians, law reformers, civil society organizations and the corporate sector. Contents Introduction 1. Setting the Scene: Law and Persuasion 2. Law and Governance in Africa: Supporting Integrity and Combating Corruption 3. Preventive Measures: Maintaining Integrity in the Public Service 4. When Things Go Wrong: Addressing Integrity Problems in the Public Service 5. Constitutions, Constitutional Rights and Combating Corruption: Exploring the Links 6. Investigating and Prosecuting Corruption Related Offences: Challenges and Realities 7. National Anti-corruption Bodies: A Key Good Governance Requirement? 8. Judges: Independence, Integrity and Accountability 9. Combating Corruption: 'Persuasion' and the Private Sector 10. Preventing the Looting of State Assets: Combating Corruption-Related Money Laundering 11. Preventing Public Officials from Enjoying their Proceeds of Corruption 12. Law, Political Will and the Art of Persuasion Bibliography Index




Corruption and Misuse of Public Office


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the law relating to corruption and misuse of public office, including specialist issues such as whistleblowing. This new edition covers major developments in the area since the publication of the first edition, and includes full coverage of the Bribery Act 2010.




On the Take


Book Description

Despite broad international recognition of the criminalization of illicit enrichment, it has not been universally accepted as an anti-corruption measure. Instead, criminalization of illicit enrichment continues to generate extensive debate and controversy. Against this background, this volume aims to provide an analysis of how illicit enrichment works, and attempts to shed light on any contributions that it has made to the fight against corruption and the recovery of stolen assets. Rather than delving into the theoretical and academic debates around illicit enrichment, this study focuses primarily on the analysis of current practice, case law, and existing literature to offer a new perspective to the on-going discussions. More specifically, the volume addresses the legal framework upon which the concept of illicit enrichment rests, and the resulting policy implications of that legal framework. It also focuses on illicit enrichment as an anti-corruption mechanism, from its roots as a response to the problems inherent to prosecutions involving corruption, to an examination of elements and inchoate offenses relating to illicit enrichment under international conventions. It examines illicit enrichment jurisprudence in the global context. An extensive survey was carried out to determine the countries where the offense exists, what form it takes, how often it is used, and for countries where it doesn't, what other measures are used in its place. The authors neither recommend nor oppose the adoption of illicit enrichment provisions, but rather aim to assist jurisdictions considering such steps by highlighting key questions that might arise during implementation, including how the offense is defined and enforced domestically by States. Similarly, the authors do not endorse nor criticize any practice carried out by States in the implementation of the criminalization of illicit enrichment. Ultimately, it is also hoped that this study provides a basis for further discussion amongst policy makers and practitioners, and fuels upcoming discussions by the Conference of State parties of the UNCAC and its Working Groups




Preventing Corporate Corruption


Book Description

This book presents the results of a two-year international research project conducted for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) to investigate and provide solutions for reducing bribery and corruption in corporations and institutions. It starts with an empirical case study on the effectiveness of a set of self-regulation rules adopted by multinational companies in the energy sector. Second, it explores the context and factors leading to corruption internationally (and the relationships between domestic criminal law and self-regulation). Third, it examines guidelines for the adoption of compliance programs developed by international institutions, to serve as models for the future. The principle result of the book is a three-pronged Anti-Bribery Corruption Model (so called ABC Model), endorsed by the United Nations, intended as a corruption prevention tool intended to be adopted by private corporations. This work provides a common, research-based standard for anti-bribery compliance programs, with international applications. This work will be of interest to researchers studying Criminology and Criminal Justice, particularly in the areas of organized crime and corruption, as well as related areas like Business Ethics and Comparative International Law.




The United Nations Convention Against Torture


Book Description

This volume provides a thorough commentary on the articles of the Convention against Torture, with historical context and analysis of relevant case law from monitoring bodie and international, regional and domestic courts.