Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom and Ireland

Key definition

Jurisdiction definition

What does Jurisdiction mean? Jurisdiction, in legal practice, describes a court’s power to hear and determine a dispute and the limits of that power, both by subject matter and by the territory over which the court’s authority extends. It encompasses personal jurisdiction over the parties (often based on service, presence, domicile or consent, including exclusive jurisdiction clauses) and the court’s territorial and subject‑matter competence. The term is descriptive rather than fixed by a single definition; its scope is set by statute, rules of court, international instruments and case law (for example, the Senior Courts Act 1981, the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments...

Electronic signatures worldwide: a practical guide to admissibility, certification authorities, legal limitations and prevalence by jurisdiction

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Practice notes

This guide explains the Use of e-signatures across a range of international Jurisdictions. A comprehensive table provides a quick-Reference overview of whether, and in what ways, e-signatures are deployed in different countries. More extensive detail on every overseas jurisdiction listed is provided in the sections that follow. For detailed information on executing contracts in multiple jurisdictions, see Practice Note: Execution of contracts—jurisdictional guide. For guidance on the execution of deeds in different jurisdictions, see Practice Note: Execution of deeds—jurisdictional guide. For insight into how contracts are formed across various jurisdictions, see Practice Note: Contract formation—jurisdictional guide. For information concerning the execution of documents under Scots law, see Execution—Scotland—overview. Please note that this is an introductory resource only, and that local advice from suitably qualified legal professionals in the relevant country should be obtained where appropriate.

Summary table

Can documents in your jurisdiction be signed electronically, and are such signatures admissible as evidence?
Do certification authorities or other national bodies exist to verify electronic signatures on documents?
Are there any limitations or restrictions on the use of electronic signatures?
Are electronic signatures in widespread use within your jurisdiction?

Argentina Yes—see below. For digital signatures to be valid and effective, they must...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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