Article 64 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 64 من نظام الإثبات · الباب الرابع: الدليل الرقمي
The Article refers anything not provided for in the Part on digital evidence to the provisions of Part Three of the Law, so far as they do not conflict with the digital nature of the evidence.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
فيما لم يرد فيه نص في هذا الباب، تسري على الدليل الرقمي الأحكام المنصوص عليها في الباب (الثالث) من هذا النظام، بما لا يتعارض مع طبيعته الرقمية.
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 64 explained in plain English
This Article is a referral rule; it does not set a new rule by itself, but sets out what applies to digital evidence in matters that the Part on digital evidence does not address in a specific provision.
Its substance is:
- If the Part on digital evidence contains a provision that governs the matter, that provision applies.
- If there is no provision in this Part, the provisions set out in Part Three of the Law of Evidence apply to digital evidence.
- This application is subject to a condition: it must be so far as it does not conflict with its digital nature; what does not suit the fact that the evidence is digital is not applied to it as it stands.
The practical benefit of this Article is that it prevents a gap in the rules: digital evidence is not left without rules in matters that its Part does not expressly regulate. The text before us does not state the details of the provisions of Part Three, so reference is made to the provisions of that Part to learn the rule on each matter.
An example of the specific provisions in the Part on digital evidence is Article 63, which provides that extracts from digital evidence, including extracts from digital payment means, have the force of the evidence itself to the extent that they match their digital record. A person who needs to know the rule that applies to particular digital evidence in his case is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in litigation and evidence.
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 64 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Which rules apply to digital evidence if there is no provision in its Part?
The provisions set out in Part Three of the Law of Evidence apply to it, so far as they do not conflict with its digital nature.
Are all the provisions of Part Three applied to digital evidence as they stand?
No. The Article requires that they be applied so far as they do not conflict with the digital nature of the evidence.
When do the provisions of the Part on digital evidence take priority over others?
Where there is a provision in the Part on digital evidence that governs the matter, because the referral to Part Three applies only to what is not provided for.
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 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
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.