a data message or cannot be applied to a data message; or (c) the purpose for requiring writing is in order to protect consumers. Electronic signature 20. (1) A reference in any law, contract or any other legal instrument to a signature or the signing of a document is construed to include a reference to a secure electronic signature, unless – (a) a contrary intention appears from the law or document concerned; (b) the law in question provides for a process that is incompatible with the use of a secure electronic signature; (c) the requirement that the document must be in writing, is not construed to include a data message as contemplated in section 19. (2) Nothing in this section is construed as limiting the use of an electronic signature that is not a secure electronic signature if parties agree to such use or if a law provides for such use. (3) The Minister may make regulations – (a) prescribing the requirements for secure electronic signatures; (b) prescribing a process for verifying that a secure electronic signature has been applied by a specific person; (c) prescribing any requirement or process for applying a secure electronic signature to any data message and prescribing a procedure or requirement for determining whether a secure electronic signature has been applied to a spe20