Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Execution definition

What does Execution mean? Execution describes how a party gives legal effect to a document—typically a contract or deed—by signing it (and, for some bodies, sealing it) and, for deeds, ensuring any required attestation and delivery/formalities are met. It is a practical term; the governing rules are set by legislation and case law in each jurisdiction. England & Wales and Northern Ireland: simple contracts are usually executed by signature, including by electronic signature if the signer intends to authenticate and has authority. Deeds require signature by an individual in the physical presence of a witness who attests the signature; companies execute under Companies...

Remote execution of property contracts and deeds in England and Wales: virtual ('Mercury'), electronic and qualified e-signatures - Law Society guidance and HM Land Registry requirements

Published by a LexisNexis Property expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note explores the use of virtual and electronic signatures in property transactions, and highlights the practical considerations that arise when deploying virtual or e-signatures to sign property contracts and to execute property deeds. For fuller material and analysis on electronic signatures and virtual signings, see Practice Notes: Virtual Execution of documents and Electronic signatures. For general guidance on executing property contracts and deeds, see Practice Notes: Contracts for the sale of land—formation, signature and variation and Property deeds—use and execution of deeds in property transactions. See also Precedent: Guide to executing deeds and documents in property transactions.

HM Land Registry and accepted signatures

HM Land Registry sets specific rules for the use of virtual or electronic signatures across a range of deeds and paperwork, including:

most registrable property deeds
application forms, consents and certificates
statements of truth
powers of attorney

See Virtual/Mercury signatures and HM Land Registry and Electronic signatures and HM Land Registry below. See also HM Land Registry Practice Guide 82: electronic signatures accepted by HM Land Registry (HMLR PG82), which contains a useful reference table at Appendix 1...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...