Are electronic signatures legal in the UK?
Updated
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized in the UK. They are generally valid for contracts where the signer intends to authenticate the document, unless a specific law requires a particular form. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws change, so check the current rules for your situation.
The legal framework
The EU eIDAS Regulation was carried into UK law after Brexit and is known as UK eIDAS. The Electronic Communications Act 2000 also makes electronic signatures admissible in evidence. In 2019 the Law Commission concluded that an electronic signature can meet a legal signature requirement if the signer intended to authenticate the document.
No UK document requires a qualified electronic signature, although the three tiers (simple, advanced, qualified) still exist.
Deeds and witnessed documents
An ordinary contract does not need a witness. A deed does. The Law Commission confirmed a deed can be signed electronically, but the witness must be physically present when the signatory signs, even if the signature is electronic. Some documents that are filed publicly or have their own statutory formalities may also need extra steps.
Scotland has its own rules for formal documents under the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995.
Sources
Law Commission: Electronic execution of documents.
What KamiSign records
Every fully signed KamiSign document comes with a Certificate of Completion listing who signed, when, whether their email was verified, and a SHA-256 fingerprint of the document. You can also ask signers to verify their email before they sign.
Frequently asked questions
Are electronic signatures legally binding in the UK?
Yes. They are generally valid where the signer intended to authenticate the document, unless a law requires a specific form.
Do I need a witness for an electronic signature?
Not for ordinary contracts. Deeds need a witness who is physically present when the signatory signs.
Do I need a qualified electronic signature in the UK?
No UK document requires one, although a qualified signature has the same effect as a handwritten signature.
Is Scotland different?
Scotland has its own rules for formal documents under the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995.