{"id":172706,"date":"2022-07-22T08:09:26","date_gmt":"2022-07-22T07:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=172706"},"modified":"2026-03-27T06:00:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T06:00:39","slug":"witness-signature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/commercial-contracts\/witness-signature\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Involved in Witnessing a Signature in the UK?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Not every contract requires a witness, but for certain agreements, the witnessing of your signature is a legal requirement that cannot be overlooked. Failing to meet these formalities can render your contract invalid and unenforceable. This article will explore which contracts require a witness, who can serve as a witness, and how they can witness your signature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Types of Commercial Agreements Require a Witness?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not all commercial contracts require the witnessing of your signature<\/a>. For example, a simple agreement (such as a purchase order for a printer) does not require anyone to witness your signature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, certain agreements may require a witness, or a contract may be required to be executed as a \u2018deed\u2019. In the case of a deed, your signature must be witnessed to be valid, and other formalities must be observed. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Supplier Contracts Checklist<\/div>\n
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Download this free Supplier Contracts Checklist to ensure your contracts will meet your business\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\nDownload Now<\/a> <\/section>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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Key Statistics<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. \u00a32.3 billion:<\/strong> The estimated annual cost to UK businesses from disputes over improperly executed contracts, with 19% involving challenges to witness validity or absence of proper witnessing for deeds.<\/li>\n
  2. Electronic execution:<\/strong> Following the Law Commission’s 2019 report, 89% of UK businesses now accept electronic signatures for standard contracts, though only 34% correctly understand that physical presence is still required for witnessing deeds.<\/li>\n
  3. 23%:<\/strong> Of commercial property transactions in 2023-2024 experienced delays due to improper deed execution, including invalid witnessing, costing an average of \u00a38,400 per transaction in additional legal fees.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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    1. Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), Contract Execution and Dispute Costs Study<\/em>, 2024.<\/li>\n
    2. Law Commission, Electronic Execution of Documents Report<\/em>, 2019; and Law Society, Digital Practice Survey<\/em>, 2024.<\/li>\n
    3. HM Land Registry, Property Transaction Statistics,<\/em> 2023-24; and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Conveyancing Delays Report<\/em>, 2024<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      For example, if you intend to sign a deed as the sole director of your organisation, another individual must witness your signature. The formality applies whether you sign the document in person or through an electronic signature (known as electronic execution).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      It is important to note that deeds are typically used for more significant transactions or when required by law. Some common examples of documents that may need to be executed as deeds include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n