The ECT Act was passed in 2002. Litigator has offered advanced electronic signatures as a method for signing pleadings for 3 years. Today, the Johannesburg Magistrates Court took a big step forward in accepting these signatures as being valid and changing the Practice Guidelines to that effect, particularly in relation to the issuing of summonses.
This matters because electronic tools in litigation make it so much quicker, cheaper and more effective. Plus, an advanced electronic signature is far more reliable than a typical manuscript signature.
We expect other Courts to follow this lead.
Well done www.litigator.co.za!
Advanced Electronic Signatures & Pleadings