Enhancing Legal Trust Through Qualified Electronic Signatures: A Guide for Scottish Lawyers

Lawyers work with a raft of documents daily. Thankfully, moving documents online has made the process easier – but many of these documents are confidential, and legal professionals need secure and verifiable electronic document signing to keep everything safe.

This is why Digidentity has teamed up with the Law Society of Scotland. Since moving online, lawyers have had to implement Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), a digital solution offering the highest level of security and legal recognition for electronic documents.

With Digidentity, Scottish lawyers now have a digital solution offering the highest level of security and legal recognition for electronic signatures.

What is a qualified electronic signature?

A simple or basic electronic signature involves no identity verification and can be easily copied or modified and has no legal standing. However, a QES is recognised under UK and EU law as the gold standard of electronic signatures, carrying the same legal weight as a handwritten signature.

When teamed up with an identity service provider such as Digidentity, an extra layer of protection is added to the electronic signature with a QES, ensuring the signer's identity and the document’s authenticity. A QES includes tamper-evident technology, protecting the signed document from any unauthorised changes made after signing.

This makes QES essential for lawyers handling sensitive client data, complex transactions, or cross-border legal agreements – amongst many other things.

Why do lawyers need QES?

Legal professionals are facing increasing demand for efficient, secure digital processes, especially as clients expect faster services with minimal physical interaction. QES offers a legally recognised method of electronic signing across both the UK and EU, making it an ideal solution for Scottish lawyers who frequently handle international cases. This recognition helps ensure that contracts, agreements, and other legal documents signed with QES are enforceable across multiple jurisdictions.

How QES enhances security and compliance

One of the key benefits of using Digidentity’s QES is its high level of security. By partnering with Digidentity, Law Society of Scotland members can ensure they are using a trusted digital platform with a rigorous identity verification process for a QES, protecting lawyers and their clients from fraud or identity theft. Compliance with EU and UK standards also ensures that Scottish lawyers meet regulatory obligations, safeguarding them against legal risks related to data breaches or invalid documentation.

Seamless integration with leading platforms

Digidentity’s QES solution is also integrated with popular document-signing platforms like Adobe and Docusign. This allows lawyers to complete the signing process without needing to learn a new system or adopt unfamiliar tools. Scottish lawyers can quickly and easily incorporate QES signing into their workflow, saving time and reducing administrative burdens.

The benefits of using Digidentity’s QES

For lawyers in Scotland, Digidentity’s QES solution offers several distinct advantages: -Legal Recognition: QES is legally binding in both the UK and EU, providing robust support for cross-border transactions. -Time Efficiency: With QES, document signing is done remotely, eliminating the need for in-person signatures and expediting legal processes. -Enhanced Client Trust: By using high-security digital tools, lawyers can reassure clients that their sensitive information is protected. -In today’s digital-first legal world, adopting tools like QES is no longer optional—it’s a critical component of modern legal practice. By leveraging Digidentity’s technology, Scottish lawyers can stay competitive, compliant, and responsive to client needs in a digitally transforming world.

To learn more, visit our Scottish Lawyer case study here.