General legal information about contract terms in the UK, not legal advice.
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Deed

A deed is a document executed with extra formality: in England and Wales it must say it is a deed and be signed and witnessed (or executed by a company in the prescribed way) and delivered. Some transactions, such as leases over three years, must be made by deed.

Prepared by a retired English qualified solicitor (LLB, LLM) · reviewed · applies across the UK unless stated · how we draft

In more detail

A deed does not need consideration and has a 12-year limitation period instead of six.

In Scotland

Scotland has no deeds in this sense. Formal documents are made probative (self-proving) by signing in front of a witness under the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995.

Put it into a contract

Be Contract Wise provides very powerful, carefully prepared tools to draft and review simple or complex contracts under the law of England and Wales or Scots law, explaining every clause in plain English.

England & Wales appScotland app

Reviewed 2026-09-24. General legal information, not legal advice.