Article 9 of the Saudi Electronic Transactions Law
المادة 9 من نظام التعاملات الإلكترونية · الفصل الثاني: الآثار النظامية للتعاملات والسجلات والتوقيعات الإلكترونية
The article sets out when an electronic transaction or signature is accepted as evidence or as a presumption, presumes its integrity unless the contrary appears, and gives the criteria for assessing its authority.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يقبل التعامل الإلكتروني أو التوقيع الإلكتروني دليلا في الإثبات إذا استوفى سجله الإلكتروني متطلبات حكم المادة (الثامنة) من هذا النظام.
2 - يجوز قبول التعامل الإلكتروني أو التوقيع الإلكتروني قرينة في الإثبات، حتى وإن لم يستوف سجله الإلكتروني بمتطلبات حكم المادة (الثامنة) من هذا النظام.
3 - يعد كل من التعامل الإلكتروني والتوقيع الإلكتروني والسجل الإلكتروني حجة يعتد بها في التعاملات وأن كلا منها على أصله (لم يتغير منذ إنشائه) ما لم يظهر خلاف ذلك.
4 - يراعى عند تقدير حجية التعامل الإلكتروني مدى الثقة في الآتي:
أ ) الطريقة التي استخدمت في إنشاء السجل الإلكتروني أو تخزينه أو إبلاغه، وإمكان التعديل عليه.
ب ) الطريقة التي استخدمت في المحافظة على سلامة المعلومات.
ج ) الطريقة التي حددت بها شخصية المنشئ.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 9 explained in plain English
This article regulates proof by electronic transactions and signatures in four paragraphs:
- Evidence: an electronic transaction or signature is accepted as evidence in proof if its electronic record meets the requirements of Article 8, that is, technical means and conditions are used that confirm the integrity of its information from its creation in final form and allow it to be displayed on request, as specified by the Regulations.
- Presumption: if the record does not meet those requirements, it is not automatically excluded; rather, it may be accepted as a presumption in proof.
- Presumed integrity: each electronic transaction, signature and record is treated as authoritative in dealings, and is presumed to be in its original state, unchanged since its creation, unless the contrary appears.
- Assessment criteria: in assessing the authority of an electronic transaction, regard is had to the degree of confidence in: the method used to create, store or communicate the record and the possibility of modifying it; the method used to maintain the integrity of the information; and the method by which the originator's identity was determined.
In practice: the more reliable the means used to retain the record, prevent its modification and identify its sender, the stronger its force as proof. Anyone who relies on or disputes an electronic record would do well to keep whatever shows how it was created and retained and who its originator is.
This article leads into Article 10, which establishes the validity of contracts concluded electronically. To assess the strength of electronic evidence in a specific dispute, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in electronic transactions and commercial disputes.
Practical example
Fahd agreed with a designer by email to build a website, and then they disagreed over the price. Fahd can submit those emails as proof; if their record meets the requirements of Article 8 they are accepted as evidence, and otherwise they may be accepted as a presumption. In assessing their authority, regard is had to the degree of confidence in how they were retained, whether they could be modified, and how their sender was identified.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 9 of the Saudi Electronic Transactions Law
Is an electronic signature accepted as evidence?
Yes. An electronic transaction or signature is accepted as evidence if its electronic record meets the requirements of Article 8.
What if the electronic record does not meet the requirements of Article 8?
The electronic transaction or signature may nevertheless be accepted as a presumption in proof.
On what basis is the authority of an electronic transaction assessed?
Regard is had to the degree of confidence in the method of creating, storing or communicating the record and the possibility of modifying it, the method of maintaining the integrity of the information, and the method of identifying the originator.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Evidentiary Weight of Electronic Records
- Article 5
The article gives electronic transactions, records and signatures binding authority, so their validity may not be denied or their enforcement prevented merely because they are electronic, provided they meet the Law's conditions.
1- يكون للتعاملات والسجلات والتوقيعات الإلكترونية حجيتها الملزمة، ولا يجوز نفي صحتها أو قابليتها للتنفيذ ولا منع تنفيذها بسبب أنها تمت كليا أو جزئيا بشكل إلكترو
- Article 6
Where a law requires a document or information to be retained, the requirement is met by retaining or sending it as an electronic record under conditions that ensure the integrity of its content, its retrievability, and the identity of the originator and addressee and the timing.
1- مع عدم الإخلال بما تنص عليه المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام؛ إذا اشترط أي نظام في المملكة حفظ وثيقة أو معلومة لأي سبب فإن هذا الشرط يتحقق عندما تكون تلك الوثي
- Article 7
Where a law requires a document or information provided to another person to be in writing, providing it in electronic form satisfies this once the retention conditions in paragraph 1 of Article 6 are met.
مع عدم الإخلال بما تنص عليه المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام؛ إذا اشترط أي نظام في المملكة أن تكون الوثيقة أو السجل أو المعلومة المقدمة إلى شخص آخر مكتوبة، فإن تق
- Article 8
An electronic record is an original in itself when technical means and conditions are used that confirm the integrity of its information from its creation in final form and allow it to be displayed on request; the Regulations specify these.
يعد السجل الإلكتروني أصلا بذاته عندما تستخدم وسائل وشروط فنية تؤكد سلامة المعلومات الواردة فيه من الوقت الذي أنشئ فيه بشكله النهائي على أنه سجل إلكتروني ، وتسمح
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.