Submissions on Government Proposals on ECommerce

On August 13th, 1999 the Department of Public Enterprise issued outline legislative proposals on electronic signatures, electronic contracts, certification service provision and related matters. The main impact of these proposals if implemented as legislation are as follows:

• Legal recognition will be accorded to signatures, writing, contracts in electronic form;
• There is a carve out in respect of the creation, execution or revocation of a will, codicil, other testamentary instrument, trust and a power of attorney;
• Any legal requirement for delivery of a document will be effective through electronic means;
• Electronic signatures and writing will be admissible for legal proceedings;