In short
Yes. Section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 makes electronic signatures admissible in evidence in legal proceedings. The UK version of the eIDAS Regulation says an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect solely because it is electronic. For England and Wales, the Law Commission states that “an electronic signature is capable in law of being used to execute a document (including a deed)”, as long as the signer intends to authenticate it and any required formalities are met.
What the law says
Electronic Communications Act 2000, section 7 (legislation.gov.uk)
- In any legal proceedings, an electronic signature and its certification are each “admissible in evidence in relation to any question as to the authenticity of the communication or data or as to the integrity of the communication or data” (section 7(1)).
- An electronic signature is anything in electronic form that is incorporated into or logically associated with electronic data and “purports to be used by the individual creating it to sign” (section 7(2)).
UK eIDAS (the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014)
- An electronic signature “shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form or that it does not meet the requirements for qualified electronic signatures” (Article 25(1)).
- A qualified electronic signature (QES) “shall have the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature” (Article 25(2)).
- Article 25(3), on recognizing QES from EU Member States, was omitted from 31 December 2020.
- An advanced electronic signature must meet four requirements: uniquely linked to the signatory, capable of identifying them, made with data under their sole control, and linked to the data so later changes are detectable (Article 26).
Law Commission statement (England and Wales) (Law Commission)
- An electronic signature can be used to execute a document, including a deed, if (i) the signer intends to authenticate the document and (ii) any formalities for that document are met.
- Courts have held that a name typed at the bottom of an email and clicking an “I accept” tick box can be valid signatures, where the statute is silent on electronic signatures.
Limits to know
The official sources above do not list excluded document types. They do flag these limits:
- A statute or a contract can require formalities, such as a witness or a handwritten signature.
- A deed must be signed in the physical presence of a witness who attests the signature, even when both use electronic signatures.
- Wills and registered dispositions under the Land Registration Act 2002 were outside the Law Commission project. Check those rules separately.
Practical checklist
- Check which law governs the document. The Law Commission statement covers England and Wales.
- Check the statute and the contract for formalities, such as witnessing.
- For a deed, arrange a witness who is physically present.
- Make the signer’s intent to sign clear in the signing step.
- Use signer authentication that fits the risk.
- Keep the signed document and the audit trail.
How vScrawl fits
- Evidence. The audit trail records who viewed and signed, when and from where. Each signed document includes a certificate of completion with timestamps, IP addresses and email verifications. This helps answer questions about authenticity and integrity.
- Signer checks. Use one-time codes (2FA), passkeys, SMS codes or access codes. See Signer Authentication.
- Integrity. Tamper-evident seals help show if a document changed after signing.
- Witnesses. You can add a witness as a signer. vScrawl cannot confirm that the witness was physically present, so follow your lawyer’s advice for deeds.
vScrawl is not a Qualified Trust Service Provider and does not issue qualified certificates. It does not give legal advice or guarantee that a court will accept a signature.
FAQ
Can I sign a deed electronically in England and Wales?
Yes, according to the Law Commission, but the witness must be physically present and attest the signature.
Is a typed name enough in the UK?
It can be. Courts have accepted a name typed at the end of an email where the statute was silent. A statute or contract may still require a specific form.
Does the UK still use eIDAS?
The UK keeps its own version of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014. Article 25(3), on EU recognition, no longer applies.
Is vScrawl a UK qualified trust service provider?
No. vScrawl does not issue qualified certificates.
Related: E-signature laws by country · EU e-signature law
This page is general information, not legal advice. Ask a qualified lawyer about your document, especially deeds.
Sources
- Electronic Communications Act 2000, s. 7: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/7/section/7
- UK eIDAS, Article 25: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2014/910/article/25
- UK eIDAS, Article 26: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2014/910/article/26
- The Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions Regulations 2016: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/696/contents
- Law Commission, Electronic execution of documents: https://lawcom.gov.uk/project/electronic-execution-of-documents/
