Watchtower/Law library/Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995
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legislation

Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995

Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 establishes mandatory execution and electronic authentication requirements for contracts, land transfers, and trusts, binding granters under s. 2 and s. 9B.

Verified at publication, 2026-11-12 11:31 UTC

113 provisions in 8 parts · official text ↗

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impact by vertical

Summary

What this law does

Regulates the formal validity, execution, and evidential presumptions of traditional and electronic documents under Scots law, establishing requirements for subscription, electronic authentication, witnessing, and statutory register recording for contracts, land transactions, trusts, and testamentary documents.

Why it matters to Signicat and its customers

No Signicat-specific relevance narrative is stored for this instrument; the stored applicability is shown below.

Who is bound: granter; witness; the court; relevant person; Scottish Ministers; Keeper of the Registers of Scotland

Banking Finance
Formal execution rules govern Scottish financial agreements, guarantees, securities, and credit instruments requiring formal writing or probative evidential status.
Public Sector Health
Prescribes statutory subscription and execution mechanisms for local authorities, public bodies, and Ministers executing deeds or public instruments.
Insurance Pensions
Testamentary trusts, wills, and unilateral gratuitous obligations under Scots law require valid execution or electronic authentication under statutory rules.
Services
Imposes mandatory execution, witness attestation, and electronic authentication requirements on legal professionals and conveyancers executing Scottish deeds.
Manufacturing Construction
Requires formal traditional or authenticated electronic documents for Scottish land contracts, real property rights, and commercial deeds.

Key obligations each linked to the provision it comes from

Under (1), a traditional document bearing to be subscribed by a granter and signed by a witness whose name and address are stated is presumed subscribed by that granter, unless indications suggest otherwise or invalid witnessing under (4). Under (2), a multi-sheet testamentary document must bear the granter's signature on every sheet. Under (8) and (10), statements of date or place of subscription in the document or testing clause are presumed correct absent contrary indication.
s. 3
signing.deeds_and_witnessingevidence.audit_trail
Under (1), an alteration to a traditional document required by section 1(2) forms part of the document if made before subscription, or is formally valid if made after subscription and signed by all granters; otherwise it is not formally valid. Under (4), an alteration is presumed made before subscription if (5) or (6) applies. Under (5), the presumption applies where the document is presumed subscribed under section 3, the testing clause states the alteration was made prior to subscription, and nothing indicates otherwise.
s. 5
signing.deeds_and_witnessingevidence.audit_trail
Under subsection (1), recording or registering an electronic document in the Register of Sasines, Land Register of Scotland, Books of Council and Session, or any other register under the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland is incompetent unless both subsection (2) and subsection (3) apply. Subsection (2) requires that the document is presumed under section 9C or 9D or by virtue of section 9E(1) to have been authenticated by the granter (or at least one granter if multiple). Subsection (3) requires the document, its authenticating electronic signature, and any certification to be in such form and of such type as prescribed by Scottish Ministers in regulations. Subsection (4) mandates prior consultation with the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, Keeper of the Records of Scotland, and the Lord President of the Court of Session.
s. 9G
signing.aessigning.qesretention.archiveevidence.audit_trail
An alteration to a traditional document is presumed signed by the granter where it bears granter and witness signatures, states witness details, and lacks contrary indications. For multi-sheet testamentary alterations, the granter must sign every sheet. Stated date and place are presumed correct absent contrary indication. The granter signature presumption is defeated if proceedings establish forgery, the witness is a granter, was under 16 years, mentally incapable, lacked credible information of identity, failed to witness the act, execution was not one continuous process, or witness details were added post-registration or erroneously.
Sch. 1 para. 1
signing.deeds_and_witnessingevidence.audit_trail
Under subsection (1), writing is not generally required for the constitution of a contract, unilateral obligation, or trust. Under subsection (2), a written document complying with section 2 or an electronic document complying with section 9B is required for contracts or obligations concerning real rights in land under subsection (2)(a)(i), gratuitous unilateral obligations under subsection (2)(a)(ii), sole declarations of trust under subsection (2)(a)(iii), creating, transferring, varying, or extinguishing real rights in land under subsection (2)(b), agreements under section 66(1) of the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 under subsection (2)(ba), and making wills, testamentary dispositions, or codicils under subsection (2)(c). Under subsection (6), this applies equally to variations.
s. 1
signing.aessigning.qessigning.deeds_and_witnessing
Under (1) and (3), traditional documents and alterations granted by a company are signed on its behalf by a director, the secretary, or an authorised person. Under (5) and (6), documents or alterations bearing to be executed by a director, secretary, or authorised signatory with an attesting witness, or without witnessing by two directors, a director and secretary, or two authorised persons, are presumed subscribed or signed by the company.
Sch. 2 para. 3
signing.deeds_and_witnessingevidence.audit_trail
Under (1) and (3), a traditional document or alteration granted by a limited liability partnership is signed on its behalf by a member. Under (5) and (6), a document or alteration bearing to be subscribed by a member and witnessed, or without witnessing by two members, is presumed subscribed or signed by the limited liability partnership.
Sch. 2 para. 3A
signing.deeds_and_witnessingevidence.audit_trail
Under (1) and (3), traditional documents or alterations granted by a local authority are signed by the proper officer. Under (2), a person purporting to sign as an officer is presumed to be the proper officer. Under (5) and (7), documents bearing proper officer subscription and either witnessing or authority common sealing are presumed subscribed or signed by the proper officer and the authority.
Sch. 2 para. 4
signing.deeds_and_witnessingevidence.audit_trail
Under (1) to (3), traditional documents or alterations granted by other bodies corporate are signed by a governing board member, secretary, or authorised person. Under (5) and (7), documents bearing such execution alongside witnessing or the body's common seal are presumed subscribed or signed by the signatory and the body.
Sch. 2 para. 5
signing.deeds_and_witnessingevidence.audit_trail
Under (1) and (4), traditional documents or alterations granted by a Minister or office-holder are signed personally, by a legally permitted officer, by another Minister, or by an authorised person. Under (2), signatories purporting to act in such capacities are presumed to hold them. Under (6) and (7), witnessed executions are presumed subscribed or signed by the relevant actor and the Minister or office-holder.
Sch. 2 para. 6
signing.deeds_and_witnessingevidence.audit_trail

Part summaries

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Verification findings (123)

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Instrument tier unavailable

Change history as published

Ss. 2A-2C repealed (8.12.2014 for specified purposes) by Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 5), ss. 122, 123, Sch. 3 para. 5 (with s. 121, Sch. 4 paras. 13, 16); S.S.I. 2014/41, art. 2(1)(c)(2), Sch. Pt. 3 (with arts. 3, 4) (see S.S.I. 2014/127, art. 2) · repeated 3×

S. 3A repealed (8.12.2014 for specified purposes) by Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 5), ss. 122, 123, Sch. 3 para. 7 (with s. 121, Sch. 4 paras. 13, 16); S.S.I. 2014/41, art. 2(1)(c)(2), Sch. Pt. 3 (with arts. 3, 4) (see S.S.I. 2014/127, art. 2)

S. 6A repealed (8.12.2014 for specified purposes) by Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 5), ss. 122, 123, Sch. 3 para. 13 (with s. 121, Sch. 4 paras. 13, 16); S.S.I. 2014/41, art. 2(1)(c)(2), Sch. Pt. 3 (with arts. 3, 4) (see S.S.I. 2014/127, art. 2)

S. 11 repealed (11.5.2014 for specified purposes) by Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 5) , ss. 122 , 123 , Sch. 3 para. 18 (with s. 121 , Sch. 4 paras. 13 , 16 ); S.S.I. 2014/41 , art. 2(1)(b)(2) , Sch. Pt. 2 (with arts. 3 , 4 )

Sch. 4 para. 42 repealed (1.8.2014) by Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (c. 14), s. 154, Sch. 7 (with Sch. 5)

Sch. 4 para. 43 repealed (1.8.2014) by Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (c. 14), s. 154, Sch. 7 (with Sch. 5)

Sch. 4 para. 59 repealed (30.9.2002) by 2001 asp 10 , ss. 112, Sch. 10 para. 22; S.S.I. 2002/321, art. 2, Sch. Table (subject to transitional porvisions and savings in arts. 3-5)

Sch. 4 para. 60 repealed (30.9.2002) by 2001 asp 10, s. 112, sch. 10 para. 22; S.S.I. 2002/321, art. 2, Sch. Table (subject to transitional provisions and savings in arts. 3-5)

Pending effects amendments not yet applied to this text

s. 7(7) words inserted by Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 s. 79(1) · Effective date unknown · s. 7

Sch. 2 para. 2A and cross-heading inserted by Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 s. 79(2) · Effective date unknown

Sch. 4 para. 29 30 repealed by Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 Sch. 2 · Effective date unknown

s. 6(1)(aa) inserted by Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 s. 48(1) · Effective date unknown · s. 6

Full TOC · table of contents Expand all parts

8 parts · 113 provisions. Open a provision for its text and, where available, its one-line summary.

Part 1 When writing is required · 1 provisions
1 Writing required for certain contracts, obligations, trusts, conveyances and wills.
Part 2 Traditional documents · 14 provisions
1A Application of Part 2
2 Type of writing required for formal validity of certain traditional documents.
2A Formalities of execution of electronic documents
2B Directions by the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland
2C Authentication of an electronic document by a person granting in more than one capacity
3 Presumption as to granter’s subscription or date or place of subscription.
3A Presumption as to the authentication of electronic documents
4 Presumption as to granter’s subscription or date or place of subscription when established in court proceedings.
5 Alterations to traditional documents: formal validity and presumptions.
6 Registration of traditional documents.
6A Registration for preservation and execution of electronic standard securities
7 Subscription and signing.
8 Annexations to traditional documents.
9 Subscription on behalf of blind granter or granter unable to write.
Part 3 Electronic documents · 7 provisions
9A Application of Part 3
9B Validity of electronic documents
9C Presumption as to authentication of electronic documents
9D Presumptions as to granter's authentication etc. when established in court proceedings
9E Further provision by Scottish Ministers about electronic documents
9F Delivery of electronic documents
9G Registration and recording of electronic documents
Part 4 General provisions · 7 provisions
10 Forms of testing clause.
10A Disapplication of physical presence requirements
11 Abolition of proof by writ or oath, reference to oath and other common law rules.
12 Interpretation.
13 Application of Act to Crown.
14 Minor and consequential amendments, repeals, transitional provisions and savings.
15 Short title, commencement and extent.
SCHEDULE 1 · 2 provisions
1
2
SCHEDULE 2 · 7 provisions
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3A
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SCHEDULE 3 · 15 provisions
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SCHEDULE 4 · 60 provisions
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Impact profile

Transportation
0
Banking finance
2
Public sector health
2
Energy, utilities & telco
0
Insurance pensions
2
Services
3
Media entertainment
0
Manufacturing construction
2
Commerce
1

Dimensions

Mechanism strength
3
Signicat obligation
1
Urgency
Pending

Penalties

not supplied

Definitions

alteration
“includes interlineation, marginal addition, deletion, substitution, erasure or anything written on erasure;”
s. 12
annexation
“includes any inventory, appendix, schedule, other writing, plan, drawing, photograph or other representation annexed to a document;”
s. 12
authorised
“means expressly or impliedly authorised and any reference to a person authorised to sign includes a reference to a person authorised to sign generally or in relation to a particular document;”
s. 12
company
“has the meaning given by section 1(1) of the Companies Act 2006;”
s. 12
decree
“includes a judgment or order, or an official certified copy, abbreviate or extract of a decree;”
s. 12
director
“includes any person occupying the position of director, by whatever name he is called;”
s. 12
document
“includes, in the case of a traditional document, any annexation which is incorporated in it under section 8 of this Act and any reference, however expressed, to the signing of a document includes a reference to the signing of an annexation;”
s. 12
electronic document
“has the meaning given by section 9A,”
s. 12
enactment
“includes an enactment contained in a statutory instrument and an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament ;”
s. 12
governing board
“in relation to a body corporate to which paragraph 5 of Schedule 2 to this Act applies, means any governing body, however described;”
s. 12
traditional document
“has the meaning given by section 1A.”
s. 12

References

uk:asp/2012/5

uk:ukpga/2006/46