Sign a lawyer''s deed online, in 2 minutes
Private deed countersigned by a lawyer (commonly called "lawyer''s deed") between private parties, electronically signed with the countersign of their lawyer(s). Compliant with article 1374 of the Civil Code (created by law n° 2011-331 of March 28, 2011) and the eIDAS regulation — enhanced probative force compared to a standard private deed, advanced signature recommended to trace the countersign.
- Legal framework
- Art. 1374 Civil Code
- Signature level
- AES eIDAS recommended
- Legal archiving
- 30 years (RIN)
What is a lawyer''s deed?
A lawyer''s deed — or private deed countersigned by a lawyer — is a legal instrument created by law n° 2011-331 of March 28, 2011, codified in article 1374 of the Civil Code. It consists of a private deed between parties which is furthermore countersigned by their lawyer (or a common lawyer). The countersign has three effects: (1) attestation by the lawyer that they have fully informed the parties of the legal consequences of the deed, (2) enhanced probative force — the deed proves the handwriting and signature of the parties without any denial being admissible (except for action for forgery), (3) dispensing with a handwritten mention by the party committing. It occupies an intermediate position between a standard private deed and an authenticated notarized deed.
Why electronically sign the lawyer''s deed?
Enhanced probative force preserved
Article 1374 of the Civil Code does not distinguish the form of the deed: paper or electronic, the legal effect is identical. Advanced electronic signature (AES) captures the identity of the countersigning lawyer (verification by OTP SMS on their professional telephone number registered with the Bar), securing the countersign in case of dispute.
Multi-signatory (parties + lawyers)
A lawyer''s deed involves at least 3 signatories (2 parties + 1 lawyer) and often more (each party may have its own lawyer, i.e. 2 parties + 2 lawyers = 4 signatures). Our flow handles sequential or parallel signature, each signatory signing from their phone with their individual OTP SMS.
30-year archiving (RIN article 7.6)
The National Internal Rules of the lawyer profession (RIN, art. 7.6) require lawyers to retain countersigned deeds for 30 years. Certyneo archives the signed deed + its eIDAS audit trail for this duration, with restitution on first request to respond to a requisition or Bar inspection.
Enforceable eIDAS audit trail
Each lawyer''s deed is delivered with a proof PDF: identity of each signatory (parties + lawyer), qualified timestamp, SHA-256 hash, IP geolocation, OTP SMS. Enforceable in court, notably in case of action for forgery against the deed.
Sign a lawyer''s deed in 4 steps
From drafting to lawyer''s countersign, in less than 5 minutes for the signature.
1. Prepare the deed
Upload your deed PDF (settlement, share sale, protocol, mutual consent divorce agreement, shareholders'' pact, etc.). The deed must be drafted in compliance with RIN ethical requirements.
2. Add the signatories
Parties (natural or legal persons represented) + countersigning lawyer(s). If each party has its own lawyer, add all lawyers. Each receives a personalized secure link by email.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced signature (AES) strongly recommended for a lawyer''s deed: lawyer''s identity verification by OTP SMS, unique certificate, qualified timestamp. The lawyer''s countersign has particular probative force — traceability is critical.
4. Sign and archive
Each signatory signs from their phone or computer. The finalized deed + proof PDF are automatically archived for 30 years, in accordance with RIN art. 7.6, accessible at any time.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a lawyer''s deed be electronically signed?
- Yes, without restriction. Article 1374 of the Civil Code does not distinguish the form of the deed: paper or electronic. The CNB (National Council of Bars) confirmed in 2014 and 2019 the full compliance of the electronic lawyer''s deed with the RIN, provided that the electronic signature is eIDAS-compliant and the lawyer''s countersign is clearly traced.
- Which signature level: SES, AES or QES?
- For a lawyer''s deed, advanced signature (AES) is the professional standard. It provides traceability of the countersign by OTP SMS on the number registered with the Bar. QES is useful for deeds with high litigation exposure (share sale > €1M, contentious divorce) but remains rare. SES is undersized — the enhanced probative force of art. 1374 deserves better.
- Must the lawyer''s countersign be separately timestamped?
- Yes, recommended. Counter-signature occurs AFTER the parties sign (it attests that the lawyer has informed the parties). Advanced signature timestamps each signature distinctly — the chronology 'parties then lawyer' is visible in the Certyneo audit trail and is conclusive in case of dispute.
- What is inscription in false and why is it important?
- Inscription in false is the procedure to contest the authenticity of a written document. Against a lawyer's deed (art. 1374 C. civ.), only the inscription in false procedure allows contesting the handwriting or signature — simple denial is not admissible. This is what constitutes enhanced probative force. The Certyneo eIDAS audit trail is the central element of defence in case of inscription in false.
- What are the most common types of acts in lawyer's deeds?
- Transfer of partnership interests (SARL, SAS), partnership agreements, transactional protocols, mutual consent divorce conventions (since 2017), non-standard leases, civil partnership conventions, non-compete agreements, high-stakes confidentiality agreements. Any legal act between private parties can benefit from lawyer's counter-signature.
- How many lawyers can counter-sign?
- One lawyer is sufficient (deed advised by a lawyer common to the parties) or one lawyer per party (each represented). The RIN imposes no limit. In practice, when parties have divergent interests (transfer, divorce, transaction), each has their own lawyer — i.e. 2 counter-signatures.
- Is the electronic lawyer's deed accepted by the court registry or administrations?
- Yes — the registries of commercial courts (for share transfers), the Business Register, tax authorities, the notary (for publication) accept electronically signed lawyer's deeds, provided the signature complies with eIDAS and the audit trail is provided. The practice has been common since 2019.
- Is the electronically signed deed enforceable before courts?
- Yes — French jurisprudence unanimously recognizes eIDAS-compliant electronic signature. Advanced signature (AES) benefits from the presumption of reliability (art. 1367 Civil Code). The electronic lawyer's deed retains its enhanced probative force of 1374: it is conclusive as to the handwriting and signature of the parties without admissible denial except by inscription in false.
Also read
Sign your first lawyer's deed online
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card. Compliant with art. 1374 Civil Code and eIDAS. Audit trail and 30-year archiving included.