

The following statement of the law sets out our high-level conclusions as to the law regarding the validity of electronic signatures. Wills are the subject of another Law Commission project, which you can read about here.
#What does attest mean signature registration#
However, it does not extend to wills, nor to registered dispositions under the Land Registration Act 2002, which are explicitly excluded from the scope of our project. Our report addresses the use of electronic documents by commercial parties and consumers, including trust deeds and lasting powers of attorney (LPAs).

Our report was published on 4 September 2019. This project is linked to our planned project on Smart Contracts. the electronic execution of deeds, including the requirements of witnessing and attestation and delivery.the use of electronic signatures to execute documents where there is a statutory requirement that a document must be “signed” and.The project focuses on two aspects of the electronic execution of documents: And to ensure that the law governing these formalities is sufficiently certain and flexible to remain competitive in a post-Brexit environment.

The purpose of the project is to address any uncertainty as to the formalities around the electronic execution of documents. This project came out of our 13th Programme of Law Reform and started in January 2018. We have been told that issues around the electronic execution of documents, including uncertainty around the legal status of electronic signatures, are inhibiting the use of new technology where legislation requires a document to be “signed” or executed as a deed. However, the law subjects, particular types of documents to certain procedures, such as signing or witnessing. Electronic signatures are validly used instead of handwritten signatures in transactions every day. Most transactions are not required to be executed in a particular manner. Our common law system is flexible and contracts can be created in many ways.

Technological developments have changed the ways in which these transactions are made.Ĭan the law of England and Wales keep up? In today’s world, individuals, consumers and businesses demand modern, convenient methods for entering into binding transactions. The law relating to signatures and other formal documentary requirements has a history spanning centuries.
#What does attest mean signature full#
The full response is available below.ĭownload the Electronic Execution of Documents report.ĭownload the Welsh summary of the paper. The Government responded to our report in March 2020, confirming its agreement with our legal conclusions and undertaking to establish an Industry Working Group to consider issues of security and technology. Making it easier to execute documents electronically.
