We analyze a numerical model for the Signorini unilateral contact, based on the mortar
method, in the quadratic finite element context. The mortar frame enables one to use
non-matching grids and brings facilities in the mesh generation of different components of
a complex system. The convergence rates we state here are similar to those already
obtained for the Signorini problem when discretized on conforming meshes. The matching for
the unilateral contact driven by mortars preserves then the proper accuracy of the
quadratic finite elements. This approach has already been used and proved to be reliable
for the unilateral contact problems even for large deformations. We provide however some
numerical examples to support the theoretical predictions.