Understanding document signing terminology. From audit trails to zero-knowledge proofs, find clear definitions for every term you will encounter.
A complete and verifiable record of every step in the document execution process, from dispatch to signature to storage. For solicitors, the audit trail serves as evidence that proper execution formalities were observed and that the signatory's consent was freely given. SealVow's audit trail is designed to satisfy the evidential requirements of the courts and the SRA's record-keeping obligations.
The documented, unbroken record of a document's handling from creation to execution and storage. In legal practice, chain of custody is critical for establishing the authenticity and admissibility of documents. SealVow secures the chain of custody through cryptographic hashing, access logging, and tamper-evident storage — providing the evidential foundation solicitors require.
A cryptographically secured form of electronic signature that provides a higher level of assurance regarding the identity of the signatory and the integrity of the document. Digital signatures are particularly relevant in conveyancing and deed execution, where the evidential requirements are more stringent. SealVow applies digital signature technology to ensure documents meet the standards required by HM Land Registry and the courts.
A method of executing a document electronically that carries the same legal weight as a traditional wet-ink signature, subject to the requirements of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and the eIDAS Regulation. For solicitors and conveyancers, electronic signatures streamline completion while maintaining the formalities required by HM Land Registry and the Law Society. SealVow ensures every signature meets the standards expected in legal practice.
A person who executes a document with the legal authority to bind themselves or the party they represent. In legal practice, determining who holds signatory authority is a critical step — particularly for deeds, powers of attorney, and corporate documents where execution requirements are prescribed by statute. SealVow supports the capture of signatory capacity alongside the signature itself.
A party to a legal document who is required to execute their signature, whether as a principal, witness, or attorney. In SealVow, each signer receives a unique, secure link to review and sign the document. The platform records the full signing ceremony — consent, signature capture, and confirmation — to produce evidence admissible in court.
A traditional manuscript signature made with ink upon a physical document. Whilst wet signatures remain necessary for certain classes of deed and attestation, the legal profession is increasingly adopting electronic alternatives where permitted by statute and practice direction. SealVow helps firms identify which documents can move to electronic execution and which still require wet ink under current regulations.
A secure, branded online interface through which clients can interact with their solicitor — reviewing documents, providing signatures, uploading information, and tracking matter progress. Client portals improve the client experience and reduce administrative overhead. SealVow's signing experience integrates with existing client portal solutions, allowing firms to offer a seamless, on-brand document signing experience within their established client communication channels.
The final stage of a property transaction at which legal ownership transfers and the purchase price is paid. Completion requires the execution and exchange of final documents, often under significant time pressure. SealVow enables firms to manage completion documents electronically, reducing the risk of delays caused by physical document logistics while maintaining the formalities required for a valid completion.
The legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another, involving searches, contracts, exchange, and completion. Conveyancing generates a significant volume of documents requiring signatures — transfer deeds, contracts, mortgage documentation, and land registry forms. SealVow streamlines the conveyancing workflow by enabling electronic execution of documents where permitted, with specific support for HM Land Registry's requirements.
The point in a property transaction at which the buyer and seller become legally bound to the transaction. Before exchange, either party can withdraw without penalty; after exchange, the contract is binding. The Law Society's formulae for exchange (A, B, and C) each have specific requirements. SealVow supports the electronic preparation and execution of contracts for exchange while maintaining compliance with the applicable formula.
A directive to preserve all documents and records relevant to a pending or reasonably anticipated legal matter, suspending normal retention and disposition schedules. Legal holds are critical for litigation readiness and failure to comply can result in adverse inferences or sanctions. SealVow supports legal hold by allowing administrators to flag specific documents or campaigns as subject to preservation, overriding automated retention policies.
A unique identifier assigned to a legal case, transaction, or matter within a law firm's practice management system. Matter references enable solicitors to organise, track, and bill work efficiently. SealVow supports matter reference tagging on campaigns and documents, enabling seamless integration with practice management systems and ensuring that signed documents are correctly associated with their corresponding matters.
An electronic signature meeting the requirements of eIDAS Article 26, providing a higher level of assurance than a simple electronic signature. An AES is uniquely linked to the signatory, can identify them, is created under their sole control, and will reveal any tampering with the signed document. For most legal documents that do not require a deed or QES, AES provides the appropriate balance of security and practicality. SealVow implements AES as the standard signature level.
A written statement of facts, sworn or affirmed to be true before a person authorised to administer oaths (such as a solicitor or commissioner for oaths). While affidavits traditionally require physical presence for the oath, the use of electronic signatures for the document content and remote witnessing provisions are evolving. SealVow facilitates the preparation and partial execution of affidavits within the electronic workflow.
The act of witnessing the execution of a document and confirming that the signatory signed it in the witness's presence. Attestation is required for the valid execution of deeds and certain other legal instruments under English law. SealVow facilitates attestation by supporting witness signing workflows where the witness can confirm the signatory's execution through a linked signing session with a separate audit trail.
A formal legal document that requires specific execution formalities beyond those of a simple contract — typically signing, witnessing, and delivery. Under English law, a deed must make clear on its face that it is intended to be a deed, must be validly executed, and must be delivered. The Law Society has issued guidance on the electronic execution of deeds, and SealVow supports workflows that comply with these requirements, including witness signature capture.
The European regulation (EU 910/2014) governing electronic identification and trust services, which establishes the legal framework for electronic signatures across EU and EEA member states. For UK solicitors, eIDAS remains relevant through the UK's domestic adoption and for cross-border transactions. SealVow implements eIDAS-compliant signature capture to ensure documents executed through the platform meet the requirements for both domestic and international enforceability.
The US federal statute (Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 2000) establishing the legal equivalence of electronic and handwritten signatures for commercial transactions. For UK law firms handling cross-border transactions involving US parties, understanding ESIGN is essential. SealVow ensures that signatures captured through the platform meet the requirements of both UK law and the ESIGN Act.
The process by which a notary public certifies the authenticity of a document, the identity of signatories, or the voluntariness of a signature. Notarisation is frequently required for documents intended for use in foreign jurisdictions. While the notarial act itself typically requires the notary's physical presence, SealVow streamlines the surrounding workflow — document preparation, initial signatures, and post-notarisation distribution — within a single audited process.
A legal instrument by which one person (the donor) grants another person (the attorney) the authority to act on their behalf. Powers of attorney may be general or lasting (LPA), and their execution requirements are prescribed by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated regulations. SealVow supports the electronic execution of powers of attorney where permitted, with specific workflows for donor, attorney, certificate provider, and witness signatures.
The highest level of electronic signature recognised under the eIDAS Regulation, created using a qualified certificate and a secure signature creation device. A QES carries a legal presumption equivalent to a handwritten signature across all EU member states. For solicitors handling high-value cross-border transactions, QES provides the strongest available assurance of signatory identity and document integrity. SealVow can facilitate QES through integration with qualified Trust Service Providers.
The most broadly defined category of electronic signature under eIDAS, covering any electronic data used by a signatory to indicate consent — including typed names, drawn signatures, and click-to-sign actions. While SES does not carry the enhanced legal presumptions of AES or QES, it is legally admissible and widely accepted for commercial contracts and many legal documents. SealVow enhances SES with robust audit trails to support its evidential weight should the signature be challenged.
The regulatory standards and codes of conduct issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the body responsible for regulating solicitors in England and Wales. SRA Standards include requirements for record-keeping, client confidentiality, and professional conduct that directly affect how solicitors handle document signing. SealVow is designed to help firms meet their SRA obligations, including secure storage, access controls, and comprehensive audit trails.
The legal requirement for certain documents — particularly deeds — to be signed in the presence of an independent witness who then adds their own signature and details. The Mercury Tax Group case and subsequent Law Commission recommendations have clarified the position on witnessing in the context of electronic signatures. SealVow supports compliant witness workflows, capturing the witness's identity, signature, and attestation statement alongside the primary signatory's execution.
A cryptographic function that generates a unique, fixed-length digital fingerprint of a document's content. If the document is modified in any way — even by a single character — the hash will change, revealing the alteration. SealVow computes a SHA-256 hash of every document upon upload, providing solicitors with a verifiable proof of document integrity from the moment of ingestion through to long-term storage.
The cryptographic infrastructure that underpins digital signatures, using pairs of mathematically related keys to verify signer identity and document integrity. PKI ensures that a signed document can be independently verified as authentic and unaltered. For legal professionals, PKI provides the technical foundation for signatures that carry the highest evidentiary weight. SealVow integrates with established PKI providers to deliver this assurance.
A cryptographic safeguard embedded in a signed document that reveals any post-execution alteration, no matter how minor. For legal professionals, the tamper-evident seal provides assurance that the document presented in court or to the Land Registry is identical to the one that was signed. SealVow applies tamper-evident seals to all signed documents, creating a verifiable chain of integrity from execution through to production as evidence.