Guidance Note: Formalities for Signing Deeds & Contracts

This Guidance Note on the Formalities for Signing Contracts is a practical guide to signing contracts correctly. Contracts are only valid if they are executed and signed in the correct way.

What this guidance note covers

Nearly all contracts, whatever they are designed to do, are made in writing. This guidance note explains the different types of written contracts you may encounter and how signing requirements can differ depending on the document and the signing party.

• the difference between “simple contracts” and “deeds”, and why you may need to use one rather than the other;
• signature blocks typically used by different types of signatory, including individuals, companies, attorneys, partnerships and LLPs.

Company and LLP execution blocks and Land Registry requirements

The execution provisions for companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) in this guidance note conform to the prescribed form required by HM Land Registry for deeds registrable with it. While that may not be relevant to all business templates, the prescribed form is used for consistency and accuracy.

Land Registry warning

The Land Registry has strict requirements for documents submitted to it. You should check the Land Registry’s fuller guidance on execution of deeds, or seek advice from a legal professional, before drafting and executing any document that is to be submitted to the Land Registry.

Guidance Note: Formalities for Signing Deeds & Contracts is part of Corporate. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Corporate for 1 year.