By Yasmine EDDAM
17 April 2025
Commercial corruption... The term often conjures up images of high-profile financial scandals involving major companies or political figures. Yet this phenomenon is not confined to the headlines. It represents a very real, albeit often insidious, risk for businesses of all sizes, including SMEs and sole traders. As well as undermining public morality, corruption corrodes the economy by distorting competition and destroying confidence. But what exactly does this concept mean in legal terms? How can it be distinguished from other commercial practices, which may be borderline but are legal? This article aims to clarify what commercial bribery is, by exploring its fundamental mechanisms - in particular the famous 'pact' between briber and bribe-taker - and by differentiating it from influence peddling. We will also look at two specific offences that are often encountered in business life: the offence of favouritism, which relates to...
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