Article 56 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 56 من نظام الإثبات · الباب الرابع: الدليل الرقمي
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الأنظمة الرقمية للجهات العامة أو الجهات المكلفة بخدمة عامة.
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 56 explained in plain English
This Article sets the strength of official digital evidence in proof, giving it the force established for an official document, but on condition that it meets the conditions set out in paragraph 1 of Article 25 of the Law. The Article does not repeat these conditions, so reference is made to the text of that paragraph to learn them.
The Article states expressly that this includes what is issued automatically by:
- the digital systems of public bodies;
- the digital systems of bodies assigned to a public service.
The fact that a document is issued automatically by a body's digital system does not prevent it from being treated as official digital evidence once it meets the stated conditions.
This Article is linked to the general rule in Article 55, which gives proof by digital evidence the same rule as proof by writing. Article 57 then regulates unofficial digital evidence, making it binding on the parties to the dealing unless the contrary is proven in specific cases, including where it is issued in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Law or the E-Commerce Law.
A person who needs to rely on a digital document issued by a public body, or to challenge it, is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in civil or administrative litigation, depending on the nature of the dispute.
Practical example
In a dispute in Riyadh, one of the parties submitted a document issued automatically by the digital platform of a government body. This document has the force of an official document if it meets the conditions set out in paragraph 1 of Article 25 of the Law.
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 56 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Does a government digital document have the force of an official document?
Official digital evidence has the force established for an official document if it meets the conditions set out in paragraph 1 of Article 25.
Does this cover documents issued automatically by government systems?
Yes. The Article states that this includes what is issued automatically by the digital systems of public bodies or bodies assigned to a public service.
What about unofficial digital evidence?
Article 57 regulates it: it is binding on the parties to the dealing unless the contrary is proven, in the cases it specifies.
Articles this article refers to
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 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 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.