Title
The Commonwealth Model Law on Digital Trade and Guide to Enactment
Dates of the instrument
Signature: --
Entry into force*: --
Summary
The Commonwealth Model Law on Digital Trade is a legal framework launched by the Commonwealth in September 2025 to modernize trade rules by legally recognizing electronic communications, records, and signatures. Its adoption aims to eliminate barriers to paperless trade, improve efficiency, and boost competitiveness by providing a harmonized, adaptable template for member countries to update their national laws. The model law promotes greater interoperability and legal certainty for digital transactions.
Website(s)
Relevant document(s)
Geographical coverage
Global
Legal nature
Model Laws/Legal standards
Trade processes
Commercial Processes
Transport Processes
Financial Processes
Trade documents
Purchase Order (PO)
Commercial Invoice (INV)
Bill of Lading (BoL)
Air Waybill (AW)
Rail Consignment Note (CIM)
Road Consignment Note (CMR)
Warehouse Receipt (WR)
Bill of Exchange (BoE)
Promissory Note (PN)
Contact point
* For a model law – entry into force of the law enacting a model law; for a treaty–entry into force
Last Update: 3 December 2025