Electronic signatures in the United Kingdom: the law, the exceptions and good practice

The United Kingdom has a flexible approach to electronic signatures. English law has long focused on whether a person intended to sign rather than on how they did it, and courts have accepted a range of electronic methods — from typed names in emails to signatures drawn on a screen. For most commercial agreements, a simple electronic signature is commonly used.

This guide focuses mainly on England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules in some areas — for example, Scots law sets specific requirements for documents that legally need to be in writing.

Are electronic signatures legal in the UK?#

Yes. Several sources work together:

• The Electronic Communications Act 2000. Section 7 provides that an electronic signature, and the certification of it, is admissible in evidence in legal proceedings on questions about the authenticity or integrity of a communication or data.
• UK eIDAS. When the UK left the EU, it kept the eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 as part of its own law, with amendments; this is usually called "UK eIDAS". Since 2024, such retained EU law has been known as "assimilated law". It keeps the familiar distinction between simple, advanced and qualified electronic signatures and the principle that an electronic signature can't be denied legal effect just because it is electronic. Later EU changes, such as the 2024 "eIDAS 2" amendments, don't form part of UK law.
• The common law. In most cases there is no requirement for a particular kind of signature; what generally matters is that the signer intended to authenticate the document.

In September 2019, the Law Commission of England and Wales published its report on the electronic execution of documents. It concluded that an electronic signature is capable in law of being used to execute a document — including a deed — provided that the person signing intends to authenticate the document and that any formalities relating to execution are met.

If you also deal with counterparties in the EU, see our guide to electronic signatures in the European Union.

Types of electronic signature in the UK#

UK eIDAS uses three levels:

• Simple electronic signature — for example, a typed or drawn signature submitted through a secure link, or a typed name at the end of an email.
• Advanced electronic signature — uniquely linked to and capable of identifying the signer, with later changes detectable.
• Qualified electronic signature — based on a qualified certificate and created with a qualified device.

In practice, qualified signatures are rarely required for private agreements in the UK. Signkoi provides simple electronic signatures backed by strong evidence. It does not create advanced or qualified signatures.

Documents that often need more than a simple e-signature#

• Wills. Under the Wills Act 1837, a will must be in writing and signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses. Wills generally still need wet ink.
• Deeds that must be witnessed. A deed can generally be signed electronically, but where it must be signed in the presence of a witness, the Law Commission's view is that the witness should be physically present. Video witnessing isn't generally sufficient under the current law.
• Registered land. Transfers and other dispositions of registered land must meet HM Land Registry's own requirements, which allow electronic signatures only in specific circumstances.
• Lasting powers of attorney follow the process set by the Office of the Public Guardian.
• Court documents and official filings follow the rules of the relevant court or authority.

Trade documents are an area of recent change: the Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 allows documents such as bills of lading and bills of exchange to exist in electronic form if they meet the Act's requirements.

Collecting stronger evidence with simple e-signatures#

Because intention and attribution are central under English law, it helps to be able to show who signed, that they meant to sign, and that the document hasn't changed since:

• Intent. A clear signing step — drawing, typing or uploading a signature and confirming agreement to sign electronically — supports the signer's intention to authenticate.
• Identity checks. For important agreements, require an access code shared through a separate channel, or an email one-time code.
• Integrity. A tamper-evident seal on the final PDF makes later changes detectable, and a trusted timestamp records when it was signed.
• Audit trail and retention. Keep a record of when the document was sent, opened and signed, with IP address and browser, and store it with the signed PDF and certificate of completion.

How to send a document for signature in the UK with Signkoi#

1. Upload your PDF — an engagement letter, NDA, supplier agreement or offer letter.
2. Add your signers by name and email, and set a signing order if one party should sign first.
3. Place the fields — signature, initials, date, text or checkboxes.
4. Add an access code or email one-time code for sensitive documents.
5. Set reminders and an expiry date, then send.

Recipients sign in their browser without creating an account. The completed PDF is sealed and timestamped, and you receive a certificate of completion summarising the audit trail. Anyone holding the PDF can check that it is unchanged at signkoi.com/verify. For other countries, see our e-signature legality overview.

FAQ#

Are electronic signatures legally binding in the UK?#

Generally yes. Electronic signatures are admissible in evidence under the Electronic Communications Act 2000, and the Law Commission confirmed in 2019 that they can generally meet a legal requirement for a signature when the signer intends to authenticate the document and any formalities are met.

Can a deed be signed electronically in England and Wales?#

In many cases, yes, but deeds usually need a witness, and the witness should generally be physically present when the signer signs. Deeds dealing with registered land must also meet HM Land Registry's requirements. Take advice before signing a deed electronically.

Do I need a qualified electronic signature in the UK?#

Rarely, for private agreements. Most commercial contracts can be signed with a simple electronic signature, provided you keep good evidence of who signed and when. Some regulated processes may set their own requirements.

This article is general information, not legal advice. UK law and its interpretation change, and the rules can differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. For an important or regulated document, talk to a qualified solicitor in the relevant part of the UK.