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Incorrect execution can lead to documents being invalid or unenforceable. Ensure that you are following the correct procedures with Execution of Documents.

The new fourth edition of Execution of Documents is a practical guide to:

• the execution of documents such as deeds, contracts, powers of attorney, statutory declarations, and documents used in litigation; and
• understanding the legal background of different types of legal entity, and associated practice issues concerning the execution of documents by them.

This expanded edition features a new chapter, providing practical guidance on signing documents using electronic signatures. The chapter on notaries has been updated to reflect the developments in technology and law since the third edition. 

Full coverage of this new edition includes:

• the law as it applies to electronic signatures
• key points from the reports on the Electronic Execution of Documents by the Law Commission (2019) and the Industry Working Group (2022–23) that followed
• best practice guidance on the use of electronic signatures in the execution of documents
• practical advice on the use of qualified electronic signatures
• changes to statutory declarations as a result of COVID-19.

Contents

Part 1: Procedural guide: 1. Agreements under hand; 2. Execution of a deed by an individual; 3. Execution of a deed by a corporation (not formed under a Companies Act or regulated by CA 2006); 4. Execution of a deed by a company formed under the Companies Acts; 5. Execution of a deed by a limited liability partnership; 6. Execution of a deed by a company incorporated outside United Kingdom, 7. Execution of a deed by a local authority; 8. Execution of a deed by a partnership; 9. Execution of a deed by charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) under the Charities Act 2011; 10. Execution of a deed by a registered society; 11. Statutory declarations; 12. Powers of attorney; 13. Statements of truth; 14. Affidavits; Part 2: Legal commentary; 15. Agreements under hand; 16. Execution of a deed by an individual; 17. Execution of a deed by a corporation (not formed under a Companies Act); 18. Execution of a deed by a company formed under a Companies Act or to which CA 2006 applies; 19. Execution of a deed by a limited liability partnership; 20. Execution of a deed by a company incorporated outside Great Britain or the United Kingdom; 21. Companies – other; 22. Execution of a deed by a local authority; 23. Execution of a deed by a partnership; 24. Charities; 25. Universities and other higher education institutions; 26. Trusts; 27. Statutory declarations; 28. Powers of attorney; 29. Statements of truth; 30. Affidavits; Part 3: Specific issues; 31. Electronic signatures — the law; 32. Electronic signatures — guidance and practical issues; 33. Persons authorised to take oaths; 34. Other persons authorised to administer oaths; 35. Notaries public; 36. Welsh language; 37. Fees and value added tax; Appendix. 

About the Author

Mark Anderson is managing partner of Anderson Law LLP and an Honorary Professor of Practice at the Faculty of Laws, University College London. He is a member of the Council of the Law Society of England and Wales and was previously chairman of the Law Society’s Intellectual Property Law Committee. Victor Woroner is a solicitor at Anderson Law LLP and is also a notary public. He specialises in intellectual property and technology law.