Who can use this feature?
Staff users only
With e-signatures, you can easily send requests and get documents signed from anywhere, at any time, on any device all within the security of Qwil. There is no additional application, it all happens within the same chat.
Currently Qwil Sign if for 2 Signers - the requestor (Staff) and the signer (Client or Staff). We will be adding a 3rd Signer within Qwil as well as external Guests which will then allow for Witnessing a Digital signature in Q4 2023.
Qwil Sign Witness will enable organisations in the UK (and where required) to identify 1 witness to sign an agreement or deed simply and electronically.
What to expect?
- You can only create a signature request on desktop via the Dashboard (coming Q3 2023).
- Signature requests for 3rd signer (and Witness) will be done directly in the Request a Signature or the Dashboard. We recommend a Witness to be invited to Qwil Messenger to ensure the Identity is verified.
- If the Signer is an external guest to Qwil, the request will be sent with a secure link in an email and will require a code via SMS to verify the ID at the time of signing.
- Video and screen sharing can be used at the same time to ensure the process of signing as well as locally recording the meeting if required.
- Once completed by all parties, the signed templated PDF will be sent to all participants with all the details your required including a certificate page including the IP address confirming its legal validity. The signed document will be available on the Dashboard of the requestor and by email for the external signer.
What are the rules on electronic Witnessing
The purpose of having a witness is important in establishing the validity of a document. The witness’s signature confirms there was no fraud, mistaken identity, duress or anything else unlawful that could render a document void.
Electronic Witnessing has become accepted Globally as a result of the Pandemic. Laws will vary whereby audio, video link can be used to "see" the signing, use of IP addresses and time stamps as well as Advanced signatures for the confirmation of the ID of the signature.
Qwil Sign the ability to add one witness using all or a combination of the features whilst ensuring the legality of the agreement with a full audit trail and certificate.
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In the UK, The Law Commission’s September 2019 report on the electronic execution of documents (2019 Law Commission Report) concluded that deeds could be signed and witnessed using an electronic signature platform.
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The view of the Law Commission (and of the Law Society in a June 2020 update ) is that where there is a legal requirement for a signature on a document to be witnessed, the witness must be in the physical presence of the signatory and directly observe the signatory signing.
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It is up to the sender to ensure that the signer and witness are co-located.
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Qwil Sign captures details such as IP address and Time Stamp to indicate that both the signer and the witness are in the same location and complete at the same time.
Next steps
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