E-signatures, explained plainly.
What UK law says, which type of signature a document needs, and how to prove a signed document is exactly what was signed.
These guides are written by the team behind Pactivo, e-signature software for UK regulated firms. Start with the guide on whether electronic signatures are legal in the UK, then read about the three signature types (SES, AES and QES) to see which one a document needs. The third guide explains how to prove a signed document has not been changed, and the free tool lets you check a signed document yourself. The glossary defines the terms used throughout.
Guides
What UK law says about e-signatures: the Electronic Communications Act 2000, UK eIDAS, the Law Commission's 2019 report, and the documents with special rules.
Simple, Advanced and Qualified electronic signatures under UK eIDAS: what each one requires, what each proves, and which one a document needs.
Checksums, hash-chained audit trails, PAdES seals and RFC 3161 timestamps: how each shows that a signed document is exactly what was signed, and how to check them yourself.
Free tools and reference
Free: check a document signed with Pactivo using its verification code, and confirm your copy of the original PDF matches what was signed. Your file never leaves your device.
Plain-English definitions of e-signature terms: SES, AES, QES, UK eIDAS, PAdES, RFC 3161 timestamps, SHA-256 checksums, hash chains, audit trails and more.