Rule 17 Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act

This rule explains how Mississippi's collaborative law process works together with a federal law about electronic signatures. The federal law, called the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, generally allows people to sign documents and agreements electronically instead of on paper.

Mississippi's rule changes some parts of how that federal law applies to collaborative law cases. However, it does not change one specific part of the federal law that requires people to give clear consent before electronic records can replace paper records. It also does not let people use electronic delivery for certain important legal notices, like notices about canceling a contract, shutting off utilities, or other notices the federal law says must be delivered in specific ways.

In simple terms, this rule allows electronic signatures and records in most parts of the collaborative law process. But it makes sure people still get proper consent before switching to electronic records, and it protects certain important notices from being sent only in electronic form.