Electronic signature, completing e-forms, click wrap and matters of acceptance via online contracts : the past, present and future

As advances in technology facilitate the transition of business and commerce from the paper world to the online world, issues of the legal validity of electronic signatures, completing online contracts, click wrap, browse wrap and acceptance of terms become critical for the survival of business in the 21st century. Electronic transactions completed online must be established with sufficient clarity and certainty for business transactions to be recognised legally and for customers to understand the nature of their consent. This paper examines the historical development of these important mechanisms, their legal status and future directions businesses could take to ensure the legal recognition of their actions and customer satisfaction