Electronic Signatures, QES and eSeals: Which Do You Need?

Electronic signatures do not all carry the same legal weight. A typed name is enough for many everyday agreements, but a contract that may be relied on abroad, or a document issued in a company's name, often needs a stronger form of signature. StatDec Hub offers four services, described below, and the table at the end matches common situations to each one.

What types of electronic signature are there?

UK and EU law (eIDAS and the UK Electronic Communications Act 2000) recognise three levels of electronic signature, each giving more legal assurance than the one before.

A simple electronic signature (SES) is a typed name, a scanned signature or a tick box. It is widely used but gives the lowest level of assurance. StatDec Hub does not offer it.

An advanced electronic signature (AES) is uniquely linked to the signatory and can detect later changes to the document. It is stronger than a simple signature but below the qualified level.

A qualified electronic signature (QES) is the highest level under eIDAS. It is created using a qualified certificate issued by a trust service provider and is treated as equivalent to a handwritten signature in the UK and EU. It is FCDO approved.

Organisations can also use a qualified electronic seal (eSeal), which authenticates a document on behalf of a legal entity rather than an individual.

What StatDec Hub offers

Enhanced Electronic Signature (£75)

The Enhanced Electronic Signature meets the requirements of the UK Electronic Communications Act 2000 and eIDAS. It is valid in the UK and EU and is FCDO approved.

It is suitable for:

• Commercial contracts and business agreements
• Employment contracts
• Tenancy agreements
• Documents that need more than a basic e-signature

Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) with solicitor certification (£125)

This combines a QES with written certification from a UK-qualified solicitor, which makes it acceptable to more institutions and jurisdictions than a signature alone.

It is suitable for:

• Cross-border commercial agreements
• Documents submitted to regulatory bodies or courts
• Agreements where the other party asks for the highest level of assurance
• Documents where the law accepts an electronic signature but requires one equivalent to a handwritten signature

A QES is not suitable for a will. Under the Wills Act 1837, a will made in England and Wales must be signed physically by the person making it in front of two witnesses.

Qualified Electronic Seal (eSeal) (£175)

The eSeal is the organisational equivalent of a QES. It confirms that a document was issued by a specific legal entity and has not been altered since it was sealed. It is valid in the UK and EU and is FCDO approved.

It is suitable for:

• Corporate documents issued in volume
• Invoices, certificates and official correspondence where authenticity must be verifiable
• Documents where the issuing organisation, rather than an individual, must be identified
• Regulated industries that need an auditable record of document integrity

QES or eSeal with legal advice (from £250)

Where the signature or seal alone is not enough, our solicitors can advise on the document's content, effect or enforceability alongside the QES or eSeal. Valid in the UK and EU.

It is suitable for:

• Reviewing a contract before it is signed
• Advice on whether a cross-border agreement can be enforced
• Cases where you need both a valid signature and a legal opinion

Which service do I need?

How does it work?

All four services are delivered remotely. After you book, a solicitor takes you through the process by video call or through the document portal. Same-day appointments are available, and the fee for each service is fixed at the price shown above.

Book a video appointment