After some foot-dragging, which did not go unnoticed internationally, the UK has adopted the Bribery Act 2010, which received Royal Assent in April 2010. It will come into force in April 2011, after Government Guidance has been issued. This has been described as one of the most significant reform to corporate criminal law in a century. It repeals the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act 1889, the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 and the Prevention of Corruption Act 1916. It also revokes relevant sections of diverse acts concerning criminal justice, local government, electoral procedure, housing and the armed forces. It replaces a system of fragmented and complex offences with a comprehensive scheme of bribery offences, covering bribery both in the UK and abroad.