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ARTICLE · 09 OCTOBER 2024

Silent Witness? Perhaps Not

Sherrards Solicitors LLP
Sherrards Solicitors LLP
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Sherrards Solicitors LLP

Sherrards Solicitors LLP

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Masood Haider, Senior Associate at Sherrards Solicitors, emphasizes the crucial role of witnesses in legal transactions. Witnesses ensure authenticity and protect against forgery by verifying identities. The witnessing process involves specific requirements for individuals and companies, adapting to electronic signatures while maintaining legal integrity.

United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Masood Haider
Masood Haider

In the fast-paced world of legal transactions, signing documents correctly might seem straightforward, but the devil is in the detail. Masood Haider, Senior Associate in the Residential Property team at Sherrards Solicitors, sheds light on the often-underestimated role of witnesses of legal documents and the potential impact of signing and making the contract legally binding.

The Weight of Witnessing:

Becoming a witness to a legal document carries significant responsibilities that extend beyond mere observation. A witness must be a neutral third party with no financial interest, must know the person whose signature they are witnessing, and must be satisfied as to their identity. The witness does not however have to be familiar with the terms of the document.

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