Article 54 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 54 من نظام الإثبات · الباب الرابع: الدليل الرقمي
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الرقمية.
7- أي دليل رقمي آخر.
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 54 explained in plain English
After Article 53 defined digital evidence, this Article sets out what it includes:
- The digital record.
- The digital document.
- The digital signature.
- Digital correspondence, which the Article states includes digital mail.
- Means of communication.
- Digital media.
- Any other digital evidence.
The last item is important, because it means the list is not exhaustive; any evidence that falls within the definition in Article 53, that is, derived from digital data that can be retrieved in an understandable form, is digital evidence even if it is not mentioned by name. This enables the Law to accommodate new digital means.
The Article does not define each of these forms separately; it only lists them.
Article 55 provides that proof by digital evidence has the same rule as proof by writing set out in the Law, so digital evidence is treated like writing in proof. A person who wants to rely on digital evidence in a dispute is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in civil or commercial litigation, depending on the nature of the dispute.
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 54 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
What types of digital evidence are there in the Law of Evidence?
The digital record, the digital document, the digital signature, digital correspondence including digital mail, means of communication, digital media, and any other digital evidence.
Is email digital evidence?
Yes. The Article states that digital correspondence includes digital mail.
Is the list of digital evidence exhaustive?
No. The Article provides for any other digital evidence, so it is not limited to what is named.
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 53
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.
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.
- 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.