House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Government response to the Law Commission report Electronic Execution of Deeds
03 March 2020 · Ministry of Justice
Proposed by Robert Buckland Con South Swindon
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Government endorses use of electronic signatures without primary legislation.
- Industry Working Group to consider video witnessing of electronic signatures.
- Law Commission to conduct a wider review of the law of deeds subject to priorities.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the government's response to the Law Commission’s report on Electronic Execution of Documents, endorsing the use of electronic signatures without requiring primary legislation.
Action requested
The Government will convene an Industry Working Group to consider video witnessing of electronic signatures and has accepted the recommendation for a wider review of the law of deeds by the Law Commission, subject to overall priorities.
Key facts
- The Law Commission’s report concludes that formal primary legislation is not necessary for reinforcing the legal validity of electronic signatures.
- An Industry Working Group will be established to consider issues related to security and technology of electronic signatures.
- A wider review of the law of deeds will be undertaken by the Law Commission, subject to overall Government and Law Commission priorities.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy