UK compliance
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding in the United Kingdom under the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and UK eIDAS Regulation. This comprehensive guide explains what you need to know about UK electronic signature law.
Quick answer
The UK adopts a flexible, non-prescriptive approach to electronic signature legality. As a common law jurisdiction, it permits electronic signatures across most commercial, employment, and consumer transactions without mandating specific technological standards. The Law Commission of England and Wales has confirmed that "an electronic signature is capable in law of being used to execute a document provided that the person signing intends to authenticate it and any formalities are satisfied."
Electronic signatures have the same legal standing as handwritten signatures for most documents
Courts accept electronic signatures as evidence in legal proceedings across the UK
Wills, certain powers of attorney, and some property transactions require handwritten signatures
The law
Understanding the laws that make electronic signatures legal and enforceable in the United Kingdom
Primary legislation
The foundational UK legislation establishing the legal validity of electronic signatures. This Act provides that electronic signatures are admissible in evidence in legal proceedings and establishes that electronic communications can satisfy legal requirements for writing.
Key provisions
Section 7: Electronic Signatures
Establishes that electronic signatures are admissible in evidence in relation to any question as to the authenticity or integrity of electronic communications.
Section 8: Certified Electronic Signatures
Provides for certification of electronic signatures and allows the government to modify existing legislation to facilitate electronic communications.
Retained regulation
After Brexit, the UK maintained its own version of the EU eIDAS Regulation, which defines three levels of electronic signatures and provides technical standards for their implementation.
Three signature levels
Simple Electronic Signature (SES) Every plan
Basic electronic signatures without advanced security requirements. Includes typed names, scanned signatures, or checkbox agreements.
Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) Enterprise
MySign provides Advanced Electronic Signatures on the Enterprise plan that are:
Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)
Advanced signatures created using qualified signature creation devices and based on qualified certificates. The highest level of assurance.
Guidance
"An electronic signature is capable in law of being used to execute a document (including a deed) provided that (i) the person signing the document intends to authenticate the document and (ii) any formalities relating to execution of that document are satisfied."
— Law Commission Electronic Execution of Documents (September 2019)
Authenticating intent
Courts adopt an objective assessment of whether the signatory intended to authenticate the document through their electronic signature.
Evidential weight
Validity differs from evidential weight. Advanced signatures with audit trails carry greater evidential weight in court proceedings.
Permitted documents
Electronic signatures are valid for most commercial, employment, and consumer transactions in the UK
Service agreements, supplier contracts, procurement documents, licensing agreements, and general business-to-business contracts.
Fully permittedEmployment contracts, offer letters, contract variations, redundancy agreements, settlement agreements, and employee handbooks.
Fully permittedNon-disclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, data processing agreements, and non-compete clauses.
Fully permittedConsumer contracts, terms and conditions, subscription agreements, product purchases, and service bookings.
Fully permittedSaaS agreements, software licensing contracts, EULAs, subscription renewals, and intellectual property licenses.
Fully permittedBoard resolutions, director appointments, shareholder resolutions (with certain exceptions), and company policies.
Fully permittedResidential tenancy agreements, assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs), commercial leases, and tenancy renewals.
Fully permittedLoan agreements, credit agreements, invoices, purchase orders, payment authorisations, and financial services contracts.
Fully permittedPatient consent forms, treatment authorisations, GDPR consent for medical records, research participation, and clinical trial agreements.
Fully permittedKnow the limits
Certain documents under UK law require handwritten (wet ink) signatures
Important legal notice
The following document types cannot be validly executed using electronic signatures under current UK law. Attempting to use electronic signatures for these documents may result in them being legally invalid or unenforceable. Always seek legal advice if you're unsure whether a specific document can be electronically signed.
Under the Wills Act 1837 (as amended), wills must be:
Electronic signatures are NOT permitted for wills, codicils, or any testamentary dispositions in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Powers of Attorney generally require wet ink signatures, particularly:
Case-by-case assessment required
Some general Powers of Attorney for commercial purposes may accept electronic signatures, but this should be assessed on a case-by-case basis with legal advice.
Property transactions (England & Wales)
Land Registry documents: Most property transactions are now conducted electronically through the Land Registry portal. However, certain documents may still require wet ink signatures:
Consult with a conveyancing solicitor for specific property transactions.
Declarations under oath
Documents requiring swearing or affirmation before an authorised person generally require physical presence and wet ink signatures:
Remote witnessing via video was temporarily permitted during COVID-19 but has now ended in most circumstances.
When in doubt, seek legal advice
UK law on electronic signatures is generally permissive, but specific document types and circumstances may have unique requirements. If you are unsure whether a particular document can be electronically signed, consult a qualified solicitor before proceeding. MySign cannot provide legal advice on whether specific documents are suitable for electronic signature.
Four nations
Scotland and Northern Ireland have specific legal requirements that differ from England and Wales
Scots law
Scotland operates under a distinct legal system (Scots law) with additional requirements for certain document types
Advanced Electronic Signatures required
Under the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995, the following documents require Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES):
Qualified Electronic Signatures for self-proving
Documents executed with Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) can achieve "self-proving" status in Scotland, eliminating the need for additional evidence of authenticity in court.
MySign provides Advanced Electronic Signatures — available on the Enterprise plan — that meet Scottish requirements for gratuitous obligations and trust declarations. For documents requiring QES (self-proving status), consult with a Scottish solicitor.
Wet ink Scottish wills
Under Scots law, wills must still use wet-ink signatures. Electronic signatures are not permitted for wills or testamentary documents in Scotland, similar to the rest of the UK.
Northern Ireland law
Northern Ireland largely follows the same principles as England and Wales, with some specific considerations
General application of UK eIDAS
The UK eIDAS principles apply in Northern Ireland, meaning electronic signatures are generally permitted for commercial, employment, and consumer contracts.
Deeds: wet ink preferred
Due to retained common law requirements in Northern Ireland, deeds should generally use wet-ink signatures to ensure validity, particularly for:
Consult with a Northern Ireland solicitor for specific deed requirements.
Land Registry of Northern Ireland
Land Registry submissions in Northern Ireland may have specific electronic filing requirements. Check with Land Registry of Northern Ireland for current guidance on electronic document submission and signature requirements for property transactions.
UK-wide compliance
MySign provides Simple Electronic Signatures on every plan and Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES) on the Enterprise plan, in line with UK eIDAS requirements across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Our signatures meet the legal standards for commercial contracts, employment agreements, and most document types permitted for electronic execution.
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