The legal details, minus the complexity

Yes, most business and commercial documents can be signed electronically. However, some documents may still require additional steps or a handwritten signature, such as:

• Wills
• Certain documents that require a power of attorney
• Some property or court documents

If you’re unsure whether a document can be signed electronically, we recommend seeking independent legal advice.

eIDAS stands for Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services. It’s an EU regulation that sets the legal framework for electronic signatures and digital transactions across Europe.

The regulation defines different types of eSignatures and explains how they should be recognised and trusted across EU member states. Its main goal is to make digital agreements as legally reliable as paper ones, while allowing businesses to work securely across borders.

Yes, although the UK left the EU after Brexit, eIDAS was incorporated into UK law as “UK eIDAS.”

This means the framework around eSignatures remains largely the same in the UK. Electronic signatures are still legally recognised, and the different signature levels (SES, AES, and QES) are still defined.

In practice, UK businesses can continue using eSignatures for most agreements if the way it is done clearly demonstrates intent to sign and provides an appropriate level of security.

eIDAS defines three main types of electronic signatures, each offering a different level of identity verification and security.

Simple Electronic Signature (SES)

This is the most common type of eSignature and is suitable for the majority of everyday documents. It includes actions such as typing your name, drawing a signature, or clicking a button to sign a document.

Advanced Electronic Signature (AES)

AES provides a higher level of security. It is uniquely linked to the signer, capable of identifying them, and designed so that any changes to the document can be detected.

Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)

This is the highest level of eSignature under eIDAS. It requires identity verification through a qualified trust service provider and carries the same legal weight as a wet signature.

For most business agreements, SES is perfectly appropriate and widely used.

Yes, Signable can be used to send and sign documents almost anywhere in the world.*

eSignatures are legally recognised in many countries, including the UK, EU member states, the United States, Canada, Australia, and many others. This means you can send documents to international clients, partners, or employees without printing or posting paperwork.

Laws can vary between jurisdictions, so it’s always worth checking local requirements for highly regulated agreements.

*It is important to note that Signable does not allow usage for any country that is currently subject to sanctions by the UK government.

Yes, eSignatures are recognised in the United States under the ESIGN Act and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA).

Signable’s signing process meets the key requirements set out in these laws, including demonstrating intent to sign, consent to eSignatures, and maintaining an audit trail.

This means documents signed through Signable can generally be used for agreements involving US parties.

Signable does not access or intervene in customer accounts or documents without explicit authorisation from the account holder.*

By default, your documents remain private, and only the people you choose can view or sign them. Our team cannot modify documents or signatures.

In rare cases, support staff may temporarily access your account information if you request technical assistance, but this is strictly controlled and done only with your permission.  

*In ongoing legal cases or suspected illegal activity, we may access the account in conjunction with the local authority upon receipt of a production order.

Every document signed through Signable includes a detailed audit trail.

This audit trail records important information such as:

• The email address of each signer
• IP addresses used during signing
• Time and date stamps
• Document activity and completion history
• Confirmation of document submission and dispatch of the final copy

These recorded activities help demonstrate how and when a document was signed, which can be used as defensible evidence if the validity of a signature is ever questioned.

Yes, electronically signed documents are generally admissible in court in many countries worldwide, including the UK, the EU, and the US.

Courts typically consider evidence that the signer intended to sign the document and that the signing process was reliable. Signable provides this through secure signing processes and detailed audit logs.

As with paper contracts, the enforceability of a document ultimately depends on the agreement itself and applicable law in its specific jurisdiction.

A signing certificate is a seal of approval that proves the details of the electronic signing process. 

It usually includes information such as:

• The names and email addresses of signers
• The date and time of signing
• The IP addresses involved
• The document history and status

This certificate acts as supporting evidence that the document was completed and signed through a secure process and is an overall proof of integrity.

Tamper-evident means that any changes made to a signed document can be detected.

Once a document is completed through Signable’s Advanced Electronic Signing method, it is sealed with cryptographic technology. If someone attempts to alter the document after signing, the system will show that the file has been modified.

This helps protect the integrity of signed agreements and makes sure everyone can trust the final document.