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Find out moreWelcome to this edition of Law Update, where we focus on the ever-evolving landscape of financial services regulation across the region. As the financial markets in the region continue to grow and diversify, this issue provides timely insights into the key regulatory developments shaping banking, investment, insolvency, and emerging technologies.
2025 is set to be a game-changer for the MENA region, with legal and regulatory shifts from 2024 continuing to reshape its economic landscape. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain are all implementing groundbreaking reforms in sustainable financing, investment laws, labor regulations, and dispute resolution. As the region positions itself for deeper global integration, businesses must adapt to a rapidly evolving legal environment.
Our Eyes on 2025 publication provides essential insights and practical guidance on the key legal updates shaping the year ahead—equipping you with the knowledge to stay ahead in this dynamic market.
Sana Saleem - Associate - Digital & Data
September 2015
We have seen an increase in the number of enquiries from clients wanting use electronic signatures in their business processes in the UAE.
Some of the reasons for the limited adoption may be concerns about the following aspects:
It is important to understand the legal framework in relation to the enforceability of electronic signatures before adopting electronic signatures for your business.
E-signatures in the UAE
In the UAE, the use and admissibility of electronic signatures is governed by Federal Law No.1 of 2006 regarding Electronic Transactions and E-Commerce (“Federal E-commerce Law”).
Basic electronic signatures are defined broadly to include all types of electronic signatures. These are generally defined as data in electronic form which are attached to or logically associated with other electronic data and which serve as a method of authentication.
An electronic signature that meets the requirements of the Federal E-commerce Law has legal force and effect under the Federal E-commerce Law. The Federal E-commerce Law further provides that nothing in the laws of evidence (which includes Federal Law No. 10 of 1992 (“Law of Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions”)) shall prevent the admission of an electronic message or e-signature in evidence.
Reliance on electronic signatures must be reasonable. Reasonableness is generally based on the following factors:
There are, however, specific categories of transactions and documents for which electronic signatures may not be used, including:
Secure e-signatures
The Federal E-commerce Law also provides for a ‘secure’ electronic signature for which there is a legal presumption of reliability. This may be contrasted with ‘simple’ electronic signatures for which no such presumption exists in law. Secure electronic signatures must be issued by recognised service providers in order to qualify as secure electronic signatures under the law.
Conclusion
It is important to bear in mind that electronic signatures are only as secure as the business processes and technology used to create them. High value or more important transactions need better quality electronic signatures – signatures used for these transactions need to be more securely linked to the signatory in order to provide the level of assurance needed and to ensure trust in the underlying system.
Al Tamimi & Company’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications team regularly advises on e-signatures. For further information please contact Nick O’Connell (n.oconnell@tamimi.com) or Sana Saleem (s.saleem@tamimi.com)
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