Non-Repudiation
Non-repudiation is the assurance that a party cannot credibly deny having signed or sent a document, typically achieved through cryptographic mechanisms and comprehensive audit trails.
What it means
In the context of electronic signatures, non-repudiation is achieved by combining strong signer authentication (who signed), a cryptographic hash of the document (what was signed), a trusted timestamp (when it was signed), and a detailed audit log. Together, these create evidence that is extremely difficult for a signer to refute in court.
Why it matters for e-signatures
Non-repudiation is why businesses trust e-signatures for high-value contracts. SignOwl's combination of audit trail, document hashing, and identity verification provides the evidentiary foundation needed to defend a signature if it is ever disputed.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
How does a digital certificate support non-repudiation?
A digital certificate cryptographically binds a signer's identity to their signature key. If the signer denies signing, the certificate authority's records and the cryptographic proof show otherwise.
Is non-repudiation the same as a legally binding signature?
They are related but distinct. A legally binding signature focuses on enforceability under contract law, while non-repudiation is a technical and evidentiary property that supports that enforceability.
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