A sign of the times? Law Commission backs electronic signatures

In what is likely to be widely regarded as a sign of the times, the Law Commission has put pen to ink on a statement confirming that electronic signatures can be used to sign formal legal contracts under English Law.

The Commission has also set out a range of other steps that could be considered, such as allowing electronic signatures to be witness by video link.

Law Commissioner, Stephen Lewis, said: “Contract law in the UK is flexible, but some businesses are still unsure if electronic signatures would satisfy legal requirements.

“We can confirm that they do, potentially paving the way for much quicker transactions for businesses and consumers.

“And not only that, there’s scope, with our proposals for webcam witnesses, to do even more to make signing formal documents more convenient, speed up transactions and get business booming.”