Lending money to family? Put it in writing — kindly.

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid for ordinary contracts like loan agreements in England and Wales (Electronic Communications Act 2000 — confirmed by the Law Commission in 2019). What makes one hold up is the proof around it — timestamps and evidence the document wasn't altered. That's exactly what the certificate provides.

An agreement can't force payment — it removes every escape hatch. "I thought it was a gift" and "we never agreed on a date" disappear. If it ever reaches court, a signed agreement with a verified signing record is the strongest evidence you can bring — the small claims track covers most claims up to £10,000, and Money Claim Online lets you file without a solicitor.

It usually lands the opposite way. A clear agreement says "I take this seriously and I want us to stay good." It reads like a person wrote it, not a law firm. Many borrowers are relieved — now they know exactly what's expected.

No. LendRight is a self-help document tool — you make every decision; the software assembles standardised agreement language built for England and Wales. For complicated situations, talk to a solicitor. We'll tell you when something looks beyond a simple agreement.

Yes, optionally. There's no statutory cap on a private loan between individuals, but courts can reopen unfair credit relationships — so we write the rate as a clear annual figure and warn (never block) at 25%+. Remember interest you receive is taxable savings income. Most family loans skip interest, and that's fine too.

England and Wales — one system of contract law, one court system, one properly drafted agreement. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal systems, so we're building those properly — coming later. Lending in Canada? Switch to LendRight Canada 🇨🇦 has you covered.