Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Legal Recognition of Electronic Documents - Electronic documents shall have the legal effect, validity or enforceability as any other document or legal writing, and -

(a) Where the law requires a document to be in writing, that requirement is met by an electronic document if the said electronic document maintains its integrity and reliability and can be authenticated so as to be usable for subsequent reference, in that -

i. The electronic document has remained complete and unaltered, apart from the addition of any endorsement and any authorized change, or any change which arises in the normal course of communication, storage and display; and

ii. The electronic document is reliable in the light of the purpose for which it was generated and in the light of all relevant circumstances.

(b) Paragraph (a) applies whether the requirement therein is in the form of an obligation or whether the law simply provides consequences for the document not being presented or retained in its original from.

(c) Where the law requires that a document be presented or retained in its original form, that requirement is met by an electronic document if -

i. There exists a reliable assurance as to the integrity of the document from the time when it was first generated in its final form; and

ii. That document is capable of being displayed to the person to whom it is to be presented: Provided, That no provision of this Act shall apply to vary any and all requirements of existing laws on formalities required in the execution of documents for their validity.

For evidentiary purposes, an electronic document shall be the functional equivalent of a written document under existing laws.

This Act does not modify any statutory rule relating to admissibility of electronic data massages or electronic documents, except the rules relating to authentication and best evidence.