Sign a lawyer''s deed online, in 2 minutes
Private deed countersigned by a lawyer (commonly called "lawyer''s deed") between private parties, signed electronically with the countersign of their lawyer(s). Compliant with article 1374 of the Civil Code (created by law no. 2011-331 of March 28, 2011) and the eIDAS regulation — enhanced probative force compared to the classic 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?
The lawyer's deed — or deed under private signature countersigned by a lawyer — is a legal instrument created by Law No. 2011-331 of 28 March 2011, codified in article 1374 of the Civil Code. It consists of a deed under private seal between parties that is also countersigned by their lawyer (or a common lawyer). The countersignature produces 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 evidences the handwriting and signature of the parties without any denial being admissible (except for a forgery action), (3) exemption from a handwritten mention by the party committing itself. It occupies an intermediate position between the ordinary private deed and the notarised authentic deed.
Why sign the lawyer's deed electronically?
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. The advanced electronic signature (AES) captures the identity of the countersigning lawyer (verification by OTP SMS on their professional telephone number registered in the Bar register), which secures the countersignature in case of dispute.
Multi-signatories (parties + lawyers)
A lawyer's deed involves at least 3 signatories (2 parties + 1 lawyer) and often more (each party may have their own lawyer, i.e. 2 parties + 2 lawyers = 4 signatures). Our workflow handles sequential or parallel signing, with each signatory signing from their phone with their individual OTP SMS.
Archiving 30 years (RIN article 7.6)
The National Interior Regulations of the legal profession (RIN, art. 7.6) require the lawyer 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 inspection by the Bar.
Opposable 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. Opposable in court, notably in case of a forgery action against the deed.
Sign a lawyer's deed in 4 steps
From drafting to lawyer countersignature, in less than 5 minutes for signing.
1. Prepare the deed
Upload your deed PDF (transaction, share transfer, protocol, mutual consent divorce agreement, partnership deed, etc.). The deed must be drafted in accordance with the deontological requirements of the RIN.
2. Add the signatories
Parties (natural or legal persons represented) + countersigning lawyer(s). If each party has their own lawyer, add all lawyers. Each receives a secure personalised link by email.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced signature (AES) strongly recommended for a lawyer's deed: lawyer identity verification by OTP SMS, unique certificate, qualified timestamp. The lawyer's countersignature has particular probative force — traceability is critical.
4. Sign and archive
Each signatory signs from their phone or computer. The finalised 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 signed electronically?
- 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 that the lawyer's countersignature is clearly traced.
- Which signature level: SES, AES or QES?
- For a lawyer's deed, the advanced signature (AES) is the professional standard. It provides traceability of the countersignature by OTP SMS on the number registered in the Bar register. QES is useful for deeds with high litigation exposure (share transfers > €1M, contentious divorce) but remains rare. SES is undersized — the enhanced probative force of article 1374 deserves better.
- Must the lawyer's countersignature be separately timestamped?
- Yes, recommended. The countersignature occurs AFTER the parties' signature (it attests that the lawyer has fully informed the parties). The advanced signature separately timestamps each signature — the chronology "parties then lawyer" is visible in the Certyneo audit trail and is conclusive in case of dispute.
- What is forgery action and why is it important?
- Forgery action is the procedure to challenge the authenticity of a writing. Against a lawyer's deed (art. 1374 Civ. Code), only the forgery action procedure allows challenging the handwriting or signature — simple denial is not admissible. This is what constitutes the enhanced probative force. The Certyneo eIDAS audit trail is the central element of the defence in case of forgery action.
- What are the most common types of deeds as lawyer's deeds?
- Share transfers (SARL, SAS), partnership agreements, transaction protocols, mutual consent divorce conventions (since 2017), derogatory leases, PACS conventions, non-compete agreements, high-stake confidentiality agreements. Any legal deed between private parties may benefit from lawyer countersignature.
- How many lawyers can countersign?
- 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 countersignatures.
- Is the electronic lawyer's deed accepted by the court registry or administrations?
- Yes — the registries of commercial courts (for share transfers), the RCS, tax services, the notary (for publication) accept electronically signed lawyer's deeds, provided that the signature is eIDAS-compliant and the audit trail is provided. The practice is now common since 2019.
- Is the electronically signed deed opposable before the courts?
- Yes — French jurisprudence unanimously recognises 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 from article 1374: it evidences the handwriting and signature of the parties without admissible denial outside of forgery action.
Also read
Sign your first lawyer's deed online
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card required. Compliant with art. 1374 Civil Code and eIDAS. Audit trail and 30-year archiving included.