Are Electronic Signatures Legal in the UK?

The Electronic Communications Act 2000 (ECA 2000) is the foundation of UK electronic signature law. Section 7 of the Act provides that electronic signatures are admissible in evidence in legal proceedings in relation to the authenticity or integrity of any communication or data. This means that a document signed electronically — using a drawn, typed, or uploaded signature — can be presented in court and relied upon as evidence of the signer's intent.

The ECA 2000 takes a technology-neutral approach. It does not prescribe a specific method for creating electronic signatures. Whether you draw your name with a mouse, type it, use a touchscreen, or upload an image of your handwritten signature, the result is equally admissible. SigPDF supports all of these methods.

The Law Commission's Position

In September 2019, the Law Commission of England and Wales published a detailed report on the legal status of electronic signatures. The report concluded that electronic signatures are capable in law of being used to execute documents, including deeds, provided that the relevant formalities are satisfied. This was a significant clarification because it confirmed that e-signatures are capable of executing not only simple contracts but also more formal document types under English law.

The Law Commission noted that an electronic signature is anything in electronic form that is intended to serve the same purpose as a handwritten signature. This broad definition encompasses the types of signatures created with SigPDF. The report also stated that existing legislation does not need to be reformed — the current legal framework already accommodates electronic signatures for most purposes.

UK eIDAS — Retained EU Law After Brexit

Before Brexit, the EU's eIDAS Regulation (EU No 910/2014) applied directly in the UK. When the UK left the EU on January 31, 2020, eIDAS was retained in domestic law through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The retained version, often referred to as “UK eIDAS,” preserves the core principles of the original regulation with modifications to reflect the UK's status as an independent jurisdiction.

Under UK eIDAS, electronic signatures continue to be recognised at three levels — simple, advanced, and qualified — mirroring the EU framework. The non-discrimination principle is retained: an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect or admissibility as evidence solely because it is in electronic form. For most business and personal documents, a simple electronic signature generally remains sufficient.

The key post-Brexit difference is that UK qualified electronic signatures (QES) are no longer automatically recognised in EU member states, and EU QES are not automatically recognised in the UK. However, this affects only the qualified tier — simple and advanced electronic signatures used for private-sector transactions are unaffected by this change, as their validity depends on the domestic law of the jurisdiction where they are used.

Common Law Contract Formation

It is worth noting that English contract law does not, in most cases, require a written signature at all. Under common law, a contract is formed when there is an offer, acceptance, consideration, and an intention to create legal relations. A signature — whether handwritten or electronic — serves as evidence of agreement but is not always a formal requirement. This means that for the vast majority of commercial agreements, an electronic signature provides even stronger evidence of intent than the law actually requires.

Exceptions — When E-Signatures May Not Be Sufficient

While electronic signatures generally work for most documents under UK law, there are a few specific exceptions where additional formalities may be required:

• Deeds under certain circumstances — The Law Commission confirmed that e-signatures can be used to execute deeds, but the deed must still be witnessed. The witness must be physically present when the signature is applied. If the witnessing requirement cannot be met in person, the deed may not be validly executed with an e-signature alone.
• HM Land Registry documents — While HM Land Registry has been moving towards accepting electronic signatures for certain transactions, specific conveyancing documents — particularly those requiring registration — may still need wet-ink signatures or Mercury-compliant electronic signatures depending on the transaction type.
• Wills — Under the Wills Act 1837, a will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two witnesses who are present at the same time. Electronic signatures are not currently accepted for wills under English law.
• Certain statutory declarations and affidavits — Documents that require swearing or affirming before an authorised person typically require physical presence and a wet-ink signature.

For everyday business documents — contracts, agreements, invoices, proposals, NDAs, employment letters, consulting agreements, and similar records — electronic signatures are generally accepted in the UK, unless a specific rule or the other party requires something else.

How SigPDF Works for UK Users

SigPDF is a browser-based PDF signing tool that lets you add a simple electronic signature to any PDF document in under a minute. Your signature is embedded in the PDF, so it stays linked to the document you signed. It is not a certificate-based or qualified signature.

Privacy is a core feature. SigPDF processes your PDF entirely inside your browser — your document never leaves your device. There are no server uploads, no cloud storage, and no third-party access. For UK users concerned about data protection under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, this client-side approach means there is no personal data processing to account for and no risk of your documents being stored on external servers.

SigPDF costs €2.99 a month or €24.99 a year with unlimited signatures. There are no per-document fees, no envelope limits, and no tiered pricing. One plan covers all your signing needs, whether you sign one document a week or dozens a day.

How to Sign a PDF with SigPDF

1. Open your PDF in SigPDF — click “Choose File” or drag and drop
2. Create your signature by drawing, typing, or uploading an image
3. Place your signature on the document where needed
4. Download the signed PDF — your signature is permanently embedded

Step by step, with the date and initials, and what to do if you are asked for a certificate signature: how to electronically sign a PDF.

The Bottom Line

In most cases, an electronic signature works in the United Kingdom. Section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 makes electronic signatures admissible in evidence, and in its 2019 report Electronic execution of documents (Law Com No 386) the Law Commission of England and Wales concluded that an electronic signature is capable of executing a document, deeds included, if the signer intends to authenticate it and any formalities, such as a witness, are met. Brexit has not changed this. Wills, some HM Land Registry documents and certain statutory declarations may still need more, and the other party can ask for ink. For ordinary contracts and forms, a simple electronic signature made with SigPDF is generally enough, and your file stays in your browser.

Sources: Electronic Communications Act 2000, s. 7 (legislation.gov.uk); Law Commission, Electronic execution of documents (Law Com No 386, 2019). This is general information, not legal advice.