Research Article
Digital Identity – The Legal Person?
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-642-02312-5_23, author={Clare Sullivan}, title={Digital Identity -- The Legal Person?}, proceedings={1st International ICST Workshop on e-Forensics Law}, proceedings_a={E-FORENSICSLAW}, year={2012}, month={5}, keywords={Digital identity legal person national identity scheme}, doi={10.1007/978-3-642-02312-5_23} }- Clare Sullivan
Year: 2012
Digital Identity – The Legal Person?
E-FORENSICSLAW
Springer
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-02312-5_23
Abstract
This paper examines the concept of digital identity which the author asserts is now evident in the United Kingdom as a consequence of the Identity Cards Act (UK) 2006 and the National Identity Scheme it establishes. The nature and functions of the concept, particularly the set of information which constitutes an individual’s transactional identity, are examined. The paper then considers the central question of who, or what, is the legal person in a transaction i.e. who or what enters into legal relations. The analysis presents some intriguing results which were almost certainly not envisaged by the legislature. The implications extend beyond the United Kingdom to similar schemes in other jurisdictions, and to countries, like Australia, which may implement such a scheme.