Article 53 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 53 من نظام الإثبات · الباب الرابع: الدليل الرقمي
The Article defines digital evidence as any evidence derived from data created, issued, delivered, stored or communicated by digital means, which can be retrieved in an understandable form.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعد دليلاً رقمياً كل دليل مستمد من أي بيانات تنشأ أو تصدر أو تسلم أو تحفظ أو تبلغ بوسيلة رقمية، وتكون قابلة للاسترجاع أو الحصول عليها بصورة يمكن فهمها.
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 53 explained in plain English
This Article is the definition of digital evidence in the Law of Evidence, and it is among the most important Articles of Part Four because many everyday dealings today are carried out by digital means.
Under the definition, any evidence derived from any data is digital evidence if the data has two characteristics:
- Digital means: The data was created, issued, delivered, stored or communicated by digital means. It is enough that the data passed through one of these stages by digital means.
- Retrievable and understandable: The data can be retrieved or obtained in a form that can be understood. Data that cannot be retrieved or read in an understandable way is not covered by the definition.
The definition is broad: it covers any data that has these characteristics, without requiring any particular form.
Article 54 then lists forms of digital evidence, including the digital record, the digital document, the digital signature, digital correspondence, means of communication and digital media, while leaving the door open to any other digital evidence. Article 52 concerns the acceptance of a paper or digital document issued outside the Kingdom.
To know whether particular data counts as digital evidence in your case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil or commercial litigation, depending on the type of dispute.
Practical example
Mohammed agreed with a designer in Riyadh to design a logo for his store through a conversation in a messaging app. The conversation was saved on his phone and can be displayed and read. This conversation is data issued and stored by digital means that can be retrieved in an understandable form, so the definition of digital evidence applies to it.
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 53 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
What is digital evidence?
Any evidence derived from any data that is created, issued, delivered, stored or communicated by digital means, and that can be retrieved or obtained in a form that can be understood.
Must the data be readable?
Yes. The definition requires that it can be retrieved or obtained in a form that can be understood.
Are app messages considered digital evidence?
If they were issued or stored by digital means and can be retrieved in an understandable form, the definition applies to them, and Article 54 mentions digital correspondence and means of communication among the forms of digital evidence.
More articles on Digital Evidence
- Article 10
Any evidence procedure taken electronically is subject to the same provisions set out in the Law of Evidence.
يكون لأي إجراء من إجراءات الإثبات اتخذ إلكترونياً الأحكام المقررة في هذا النظام.
- Article 52
The Article allows the court to accept a paper or digital document issued outside the Kingdom if certified by the competent authorities in the country of issue and in the Kingdom, unless it contravenes public order.
مع عدم الإخلال بالتزامات المملكة بموجب الاتفاقيات الدولية التي تكون طرفاً فيها، يجوز للمحكمة أن تقبل في الإثبات المحرَّر الورقي أو الرقمي الصادر خارج المملكة وا
- Article 54
The Article lists the forms of digital evidence: the digital record, document and signature, digital correspondence including email, means of communication, digital media, and any other digital evidence.
يشمل الدليل الرقمي الآتي: 1- السجل الرقمي. 2- المحرَّر الرقمي. 3- التوقيع الرقمي. 4- المراسلات الرقمية بما فيها البريد الرقمي. 5- وسائل الاتصال. 6- الوسائط الرق
- Article 55
The Article provides that proof by digital evidence has the same rule as proof by writing set out in the Law of Evidence.
يكون للإثبات بالدليل الرقمي حكم الإثبات بالكتابة الوارد في هذا النظام.
- Article 56
Official digital evidence has the force of an official document if it meets the conditions of paragraph 1 of Article 25, including what is issued automatically by the digital systems of public bodies.
يكون للدليل الرقمي الرسمي الحجية المقررة للمحرَّر الرسمي؛ إذا استوفى الشروط المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الخامسة والعشرين) بما في ذلك ما يصدر آلياً من
- Article 57
Unofficial digital evidence is binding on the parties to the dealing unless the contrary is proven, if issued under the Electronic Transactions or E-Commerce Law, or from a means stated in the contract, or a documented or public one.
يكون الدليل الرقمي غير الرسمي حجةً على أطراف التعامل -ما لم يثبت خلاف ذلك- في الحالات الآتية: 1- إذا كان صادراً وفقاً لنظام التعاملات الإلكترونية أو نظام التجار
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.