Start by identifying what is disputed in the electronic document. It may be attribution, an altered page, a compromised signing account or the absence of the original. Article 39 of the UAE Evidence Law distinguishes a forgery allegation from denial of certain features of a private instrument. Articles 53 to 64 provide specific electronic evidence rules, including an allocation of the burden of proof for the categories covered by Articles 56 and 57.
Preserve the signed file and verification data
Keep the native signed file, relevant messages and platform records you can lawfully obtain. Article 18 of Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2021 addresses the evidential effect of qualified electronic signatures that meet its requirements. A pasted signature image and a qualified signature present different verification questions. Identify the exact version, page and alleged change, and request a focused examination of the certificate, time stamp and integrity of the signed data where relevant.
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