ACA Plus, the new digital signature for lawyers
On Monday, November 11, Spain’s legal community will introduce ACA Plus, an enhanced digital signature system replacing the current Certification Authority for the Legal Profession (Autoridad de Certificación de la Abogacía-ACA). This updated system provides two options: a qualified electronic signature, using a new cryptographic card with a chip, and an advanced electronic signature, accessible via downloadable software from abogacía.es, compatible with any browser. Lawyers can download and use both options interchangeably.
The decision to launch ACA Plus was finalized today by the General Council of the Legal Profession (Consejo General de la Abogacía), chaired by Salvador González, aiming to improve digital identity verification for online legal processes such as prison access, legal aid billing, and court submissions. More than 120,000 certifications will be updated with new technology to better meet digital demands in the field.
The ACA modernization project began in 2022, selecting SIA, an INDRA group subsidiary, to lead development. After completing a pilot phase with a group of lawyers and gaining approval from the Ministry of Justice, the new ACA Plus is now set to launch.
The transition will be streamlined with online tutorials on abogacía.es, and technical support is available. For those facing difficulties, local bar associations will also provide appointment options for additional assistance.
