Electronic signatures legislation adopted

The French Senate has adopted, at first reading, the Bill on Electronic Signatures. This implements under French law the EU directive on a common framework for electronic signatures. The Bill introduces four major changes to the law of evidence in France. First, whatever the media through which it is transmitted, written evidence will include letter, figures, signs or symbols which have an intelligible meaning. Secondly, electronic documents can be used in evidence provided that the electronic signature can be linked to the signatory by reliable means. Thirdly, conflicts of evidence will be resolved by the courts. Finally, the definition of ‘signature’ will include handwritten and electronic signatures. The Bill will now be debated and, possibly, amended by the French National Assembly.