UAE cabinet amends law on evidence in civil and commercial transactions

The UAE Cabinet on Monday approved a federal decree-law to amend certain provisions of the Law on Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions.

The amendments includes the introduction of remote communication technologies in evidence-related procedures.

It also includes the adoption of digital signatures and documents, and legitimises e-hearing minutes that document witness testimonies, as well as the decisions of judges, signed notary documents, and related provisions, reported news agency WAM.

The cabinet chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has also approved the issuance of a federal law to amend certain provisions of the law regulating the notary public profession.

The amendments also include the adoption of digital signatures and documents and legitimizes e-hearing minutes that document witness testimonies, as well as the decisions of judges, signed notary documents, and other related provisions.

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The amendments have simplified the process for giving evidence for all parties and enabled the use of e-transactions in all notary public procedures.

It has also facilitated the creation of memos and the verification of proof of identity, as well as the registration, signing and payment of fees.

The Minister of Justice will issue the necessary resolutions to enable the use of information technology in notary public work.

Also, e-signatures and e-documents will now be approved and treated as official documents mentioned in the evidence law.

Documents must be created and saved electronically, and will be kept confidential and may not be circulated, copied or deleted from the electronic system without permission from the relevant administration of the notary public at the ministry.