e-signatures – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

April 30, 2020 by Duane Morris

Force Majeure Events and E-signatures: COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses in Vietnam

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to many questions regarding force majeure and e-signatures. In particular, parties to commercial contracts are keen to know (i) whether they can be released from liabilities by relying on a force majeure clause and (ii) whether they can execute contracts by electronic signatures instead of the traditional “wet ink” signatures, which have become almost impossible in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris Vietnam partner Giles Cooper, please visit the Duane Morris Vietnam Blog.

April 29, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Myanmar: Validity of Electronic Signatures

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts all aspects of our daily life. Government authorities around the world impose various measures to reduce the physical contacts among people, including travel ban and movement restriction (i.e. stay-at-home order). Nevertheless, transactions can still be performed by electronic means, including electronic communication/transmission and execution by e-signature at this point of time. To be in trend with the digital age, Myanmar also allows electronic signature documents to be exhibited as evidence in Myanmar Courts as well as recognizes the legal validity of electronic signature inserted onto commercial documents.

To read the full text, please visit the Duane Morris & Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

April 6, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Social Distancing and Notarization During the COVID-19 Pandemic

With most of the country under stay-at-home orders and practicing social distancing, COVID-19 has become a major disruptive force for the indefinite future. One of the many business areas severely hindered by COVID-19 is contractual relationships between parties. Consenting parties to a new contract may agree that a PDF signature page sent by email suffices in these times, but what about statutory requirements that have to be satisfied? Real estate deeds and mortgages generally need to be notarized to be accepted for recording and for title companies to insure them. A will or trust agreement drawn up during the pandemic may need to be notarized as well to be given effect. Usual notary requirements include in-person, physical presence before the notary. How does that work with social distancing?

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

March 27, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Doing Deals in the COVID-19 Era: Practical Considerations for Electronic Signatures and Remote Notarization

Duane Morris will present a webinar, “Doing Deals in the COVID-19 Era Practical Considerations for Electronic Signatures and Remote Notarization,” to be held on Friday, April 3, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time).

For more information and to register, please visit the event page.

March 20, 2020 by Duane Morris

Use of E-Signatures, E-Notarizations and Remote Notarizations to Close Transactions Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak

Following the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, businesses and institutions have taken sweeping preventative measures to restrict or eliminate in-person meetings and gatherings. To prevent further interpersonal spread of the virus while carrying on scheduled transactions, businesses should understand the current legal landscape governing electronic signature, electronic notarization and remote notarization laws, regulations and issues at play.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.