The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has set up an industry working group on the future of electronic signatures in legal processes.
The move has been made on the recommendation of the Law Commission and is aimed at producing recommendations to the Government for reform along with guidance for businesses and professional practitioners.
The group, which will also look at other means of legally executing documents, has begun to meet recently and is chaired by Mr Justice Fraser under the oversight of Lord Justice Birss, and assisted by Professor Sara Green of the Law Commission.
Its members are drawn from the legal, business and technology sectors.
The MoJ said the group will look at best practice guidance in the use of e-signatures, the security and reliability of different technologies and possible solutions for video- witnessing of deeds. It is aiming to produce an interim report with its initial thoughts by the end of the year.
The ministry added that the work is aimed at ensuring the UK is a centre of legal excellence.
Image from iStock, Marharyta Marko
