Everybody signs documents. In an increasingly virtual world, there are increasingly virtual ways to sign documents - or are there?
Use of electronic signatures rather than ‘wet’ signatures may be increasingly widespread but the law on the use of these is far from clear as to when it is, and when it is not, allowed. The law is a combination of European legal remnants in English law (the eIDAS Regulation which continues to apply post-Brexit), English statute and the common law. This session will explore the critical ins and outs of this practice, covering practical advice as well as the latest proposals for reform of the law in this area.
Benefits of attending
- Understand the latest law around digital signatures
- Learn about the validity of electronic signatures
- Get to grips with the differences between non-electronic and electronic forms of signature
- Consider proposed reforms for the law in this area and how it might affect practices
Certification:
- CPD: 1.5 hours for your records
- Certificate of completion
Course Content
Legal validity of electronic signatures
- ECA 2000
- eIDAS
Intention to authenticate
Capability
- Other formalities needed in law
Admissibility in evidence
Non-electronic forms v electronic forms of signature
The special case of Deeds and electronic signatures
- Individuals
- CA 2006 companies
Witnessing and attestation
Reform?
Course Provider
Mark Weston ,
Hill Dickinson LLPMark Weston is a partner at Hill Dickinson LLP where he is Head of Commercial Law (London), Information Technology Law and, Intellectual Property Law. Mark joined the firm in 2016 from Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP where for 12 years he was a partner and Head of the Commercial, Intellectual Property and Information Technology Group, before which he spent several years at Baker McKenzie. Mark’s practice covers both non-contentious and contentious matters in all areas of commercial law, intellectual property law, information technology law, Internet, digital and privacy/data law. He specialises in commercial and tech issues. He has extensive experience in-house, having been seconded in the past to Hewlett Packard and new technology companies. His practice covers all sorts of commercial areas (including distribution, agency, franchising, sales and marketing strategies, advice and documentation) as well as extensive IT niches including advising clients regarding hardware and software issues (including SaaS, cloud, development, licensing, maintenance and distribution), solutions for and methods of transacting on the Internet, electronic commerce including B2B, B2C and B2G, S-commerce and M-commerce, social media, strategies to minimise or maximise liability and carry out compliance audits, outsourcing, facilities management, procurement, company IT policies and data protection (privacy) issues. He also has experience in IT litigation (and different alternative dispute resolution techniques). Mark writes various books on his specialist topics and is an editor and contributor to several publications and articles and lectures at numerous commercial, IP and IT-related conferences and training programmes. Mark appears regularly on BBC1 (usually providing advice on-screen to BBC Watchdog) and also on Sky News as a legal commentator.
Who Should Attend
This programme has been specifically designed for all those who have to sign documents:
- In-house lawyers
- Private practice lawyers
- Compliance officers
- Company secretaries
- Board members
- HR professionals
- Marketing professionals
- Anyone with an interest in new ways of doing business and/or new technologies
