Electronic Transactions Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2017

Part 1: GENERAL

1. — Title and repeal

This Law may be cited as the "Electronic Transactions Law, DIFC Law No. 2 of 2017".

2. — Legislative Authority

This Law is made by the Ruler of Dubai.

3. — Application of the Law

This Law applies in the jurisdiction of the Dubai International Financial Centre.

4. — Date of enactment

This Law is enacted on the date specified in the Enactment Notice in respect of this Law.

5. — Commencement

This Law comes into force on the date specified in the Enactment Notice in respect of this Law.

6. — Interpretation

Schedule 1 contains interpretative provisions which apply to this Law and a list of defined terms used in this Law.

7. — Purpose of the Law

The purpose of this Law is:

(a) to facilitate electronic transactions in DIFC, to eliminate barriers to electronic transactions resulting from uncertainties over writing and signature requirements, and to promote the development of the legal and business infrastructure necessary to implement secure electronic transactions in DIFC; and

(b) to help to establish uniformity of rules, regulations and standards in DIFC regarding the authentication and integrity of electronic records.

Part 2: EXCLUSIONS

8. — Excluded matters

(1) The provisions of Parts 3, 4 and 5 of this Law shall not apply to any provision set out in any other DIFC law requiring writing or signatures in any of the matters specified in Schedule 2.

(2) The Board of Directors may, without limiting powers conferred upon it elsewhere under the Law, make Regulations extending, waiving or modifying the list of matters specified in Schedule 2.

9. — Exclusion or modification by the parties

(1) The parties to a contract may exclude the application of this Law or derogate from or vary the effect of any of its provisions, except as otherwise provided in this Law.

(2) Without prejudice to Article 9(1), nothing in this Law shall prevent the parties to a contract or transaction from:

(a) excluding the use of Electronic Records, Electronic Communications or Electronic Signatures in the contract or transaction by agreement; or

(b) imposing additional requirements as to the form or authentication of the contract or transaction by agreement.

Part 3: ELECTRONIC RECORDS

10. — Legal recognition of Electronic Records

Information shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an Electronic Record.

11. — Requirement for writing

Where any provision set out in any other DIFC law requires Information to be written or in writing, or provides for certain consequences if Information is not written or in writing, an Electronic Record satisfies that provision set out in the other DIFC law if it preserves a record of the Information contained therein and is capable of being reproduced in tangible form.

12. — Provision of Information in writing and presentation of Records

(1) If parties have agreed to conduct a transaction by Electronic means and a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires a person to provide, send, or deliver Information in writing to another person, the requirement is satisfied if the Information is provided, sent, or delivered, as the case may be, in an Electronic Communication capable of retention by the Addressee at the time of receipt. An Electronic Communication is not capable of retention by the Addressee if the Originator or the Originator's Information System inhibits the ability of the Addressee to reproduce in tangible form or retain the Electronic Communication.

(2) If a provision set out in any other DIFC law other than this Law requires a Record (i) to be posted or displayed in a certain manner, (ii) to be sent, communicated, or transmitted by a specified method, or (iii) to contain information in a certain form, the following rules apply:

(a) the Record must be posted or displayed in the manner specified in the other law;

(b) except as otherwise provided in Article 12(4)(b), the Record must be sent, communicated, or transmitted by the method specified in the other law; and

(c) the Record must contain the Information in the form specified in the other law.

(3) If an Originator inhibits the ability of an Addressee to reproduce in tangible form or retain an Electronic Record, the Electronic Record is not enforceable against the Addressee.

(4) The requirements of this Article may not be varied by agreement, but:

(a) to the extent a DIFC law other than this Law requires Information to be provided, sent, or delivered in writing but permits that requirement to be varied by agreement, the requirement under Article 12(1) that the Information be in the form of an Electronic Record capable of retention may also be varied by agreement; and

(b) a requirement under a DIFC law other than this Law to send, communicate, or transmit a Record by post may be varied by agreement to the extent permitted by the other law.

13. — Retention of Electronic Records

(1) Where a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires any Record or Information to be retained, or provides for certain consequences if it is not retained, that requirement is satisfied by retaining the Record or Information in the form of an Electronic Record if the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) the Electronic Record preserves a record of the Information contained therein and is capable of being reproduced in tangible form;

(b) the Electronic Record is retained in the format in which it was originally created, generated, sent, communicated, or received, or in a format which can be demonstrated to accurately replicate the Information originally created, generated, sent, communicated, or received;

(c) such information, if any, as enables the identification of the origin and destination of an Electronic Record, any party that generated, sent, communicated or received the Electronic Record, or the date and time thereof, is retained; and

(d) any additional requirements relating to the retention of such Electronic Records specified by the Centre Body which has supervision over the requirement for the retention of such records are complied with.

(2) An obligation to retain any Record or Information in accordance with Article 13(1) shall not extend to any information the sole purpose of which is to enable the Electronic Record to be sent or received.

(3) A person may satisfy the requirement referred to in Article 13(1) by using the services of any other person, if the conditions in paragraphs (a) to (d) of Article 13(1) are complied with.

(4) If a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires a Record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides for certain consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, that provision set out in the other DIFC law is satisfied by an Electronic Record retained in accordance with Article 13(1) unless a DIFC law enacted, amended or re-enacted after the commencement date of this Law specifically prohibits the use of an Electronic Record for the specified purpose.

(5) If a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires the retention of a cheque, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an Electronic Record of the information on the front and back of the cheque in accordance with Article 13(1).

(6) A Record retained as an Electronic Record in accordance with Article 13(1) satisfies any DIFC law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes unless a DIFC law enacted, amended or re-enacted after the commencement date of this Law specifically prohibits the use of an Electronic Record for the specified purpose.

(7) This Article does not preclude a Centre Body from specifying additional requirements for the retention of a Record subject to the relevant Centre Body's jurisdiction.

14. — Admissibility of Electronic Records in evidence

In any proceedings before the Court, evidence of a Record may not be excluded solely because it is in Electronic form.

Part 4: ELECTRONIC CONTRACTS

15. — Legal recognition of electronic contracts

A contract may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because an Electronic Record was used in its formation.

16. — Formation and validity of contracts via Electronic Communications

(1) For the avoidance of doubt, in the context of the formation of contracts, an offer and the acceptance of an offer may be expressed by means of Electronic Communications.

(2) Where an Electronic Communication is used in the formation of a contract, that contract shall not be denied validity or enforceability solely on the ground that an Electronic Communication was used for that purpose.

17. — Effectiveness between parties

As between the Originator and the Addressee of an Electronic Communication, a declaration of intent or other statement shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an Electronic Communication.

18. — Invitation to make offer

A proposal to conclude a contract made through one or more Electronic Communications which is not addressed to one or more specific parties, but is generally accessible to parties making use of Information Systems, including a proposal that makes use of interactive applications for the placement of orders through such Information Systems, is to be considered as an invitation to make offers, unless it clearly indicates the intention of the party making the proposal to be bound in case of acceptance.

19. — Use of automated message systems for contract formation

A contract formed by the interaction of an automated message system and a natural person, or by the interaction of automated message systems, shall not be denied validity or enforceability solely on the ground that no natural person reviewed or intervened in each of the individual actions carried out by the automated message systems or the resulting contract.

20. — Time and place of despatch and receipt

(1) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, the time of despatch of an Electronic Communication is:

(a) the time when it leaves an Information System under the control of the Originator or of the party who sent it on behalf of the Originator; or

(b) if the Electronic Communication has not left an Information System under the control of the Originator or of the party who sent it on behalf of the Originator, the time when the Electronic Communication is received.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, the time of receipt of an Electronic Communication is the time when the Electronic Communication becomes capable of being retrieved by the Addressee at an electronic address designated by the Addressee.

(3) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, the time of receipt of an Electronic Communication at an electronic address that has not been designated by the Addressee is the time when the Electronic Communication becomes capable of being retrieved by the Addressee at that address and the Addressee becomes aware that the Electronic Communication has been sent to that address.

(4) For the purposes of Article 20(3), an Electronic Communication is presumed to be capable of being retrieved by the Addressee when it reaches the electronic address of the Addressee.

(5) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, an Electronic Communication is deemed to be despatched at the place where the Originator has its place of business and is deemed to be received at the place where the Addressee has its place of business.

(6) Articles 20(2), 20(3) and 20(4) shall apply notwithstanding that the place where the Information System supporting an electronic address is located may be different from the place where the Electronic Communication is deemed to be received under Article 20(5).

Part 5: ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

21. — Legal recognition of Electronic Signatures

Where any provision set out in any other DIFC law requires the signature of any person, or provides for certain consequences if a document or a record is not signed, that provision set out in the other DIFC law is satisfied if an Electronic Signature is used.

22. — Validity of Electronic Signatures

An Electronic Signature is deemed to identify the relevant person and to indicate that person's intention in respect of the Information contained in the Electronic Record provided that the type of Electronic Signature used is:

(a) as reliable as appropriate for the purpose for which the document or record was generated or communicated, in the light of all the circumstances, including any relevant agreement; or

(b) proven in fact to have fulfilled the functions described in paragraph (a), by itself or together with further evidence.

23. — Attribution and effect of Electronic Signature

(1) An Electronic Signature is attributable to a person if it was the act of the person. The act of the person may be shown in any manner, including a showing of the efficacy of any security procedure applied to determine the person to which the electronic record or electronic signature was attributable.

(2) The effect of an Electronic Signature attributed to a person under Article 23(1) is determined from the context and surrounding circumstances at the time of its creation, execution, or adoption, including the parties' agreement, if any, and otherwise as provided by law.

24. — Admissibility of Electronic Signatures in evidence

In any proceedings before the Court, evidence of a signature may not be excluded solely because it is in Electronic form.

Part 6: SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

25. — Regulations

(1) The Board of Directors may make Regulations under the Law in respect of any matters related to the application of the Law.

(2) Where the Board of Directors issues a standard or code of practice, it may incorporate such a standard or code into the Regulations by reference and in such circumstances, except to the extent that the Regulations otherwise provide, a person who is subject to the provisions of any such standard or code shall comply with such provisions as if they were provisions of the Regulations.

(3) Where any legislation made for the purpose of this Law purports to be made in exercise of a particular power or powers, it shall be taken also to be made in the exercise of all powers under which it may be made.

(4) The Board of Directors shall publish draft Regulations by means of a notice under Article 25(5).

(5) The notice of draft Regulations shall include the following:

(a) the draft text of the Regulations;

(b) a statement of the substance and purpose of the material provisions of the draft Regulations; and

(c) a summary of the draft Regulations.

(6) Upon publication of a notice under Article 25(6), the Board of Directors shall invite interested persons to make representations with respect to the draft Regulations within a period of at least thirty (30) days after the publication, or within such period as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine.

(7) Article 25(4), Article 25(5) and Article 25(6) shall not apply if the Board of Directors concludes that any delay likely to arise under such Articles is prejudicial to the interests of the DIFC.

(8) Any period of time during which the Board of Directors invites interested persons to make representations with respect to draft Regulations prior to Article 25 coming into effect shall be deemed to count as part or all of the period referred to in Article 25(6).

1. — Rules of interpretation

2. — Legislation in DIFC

3. — Defined terms

Part 1: GENERAL

1. — Title and repeal

This Law may be cited as the "Electronic Transactions Law, DIFC Law No. 2 of 2017".

2. — Legislative Authority

This Law is made by the Ruler of Dubai.

3. — Application of the Law

This Law applies in the jurisdiction of the Dubai International Financial Centre.

4. — Date of enactment

This Law is enacted on the date specified in the Enactment Notice in respect of this Law.

5. — Commencement

This Law comes into force on the date specified in the Enactment Notice in respect of this Law.

6. — Interpretation

Schedule 1 contains interpretative provisions which apply to this Law and a list of defined terms used in this Law.

7. — Purpose of the Law

The purpose of this Law is:

(a) to facilitate electronic transactions in DIFC, to eliminate barriers to electronic transactions resulting from uncertainties over writing and signature requirements, and to promote the development of the legal and business infrastructure necessary to implement secure electronic transactions in DIFC; and

(b) to help to establish uniformity of rules, regulations and standards in DIFC regarding the authentication and integrity of electronic records.

Part 2: EXCLUSIONS

8. — Excluded matters

(1) The provisions of Parts 3, 4 and 5 of this Law shall not apply to any provision set out in any other DIFC law requiring writing or signatures in any of the matters specified in Schedule 2.

(2) The Board of Directors may, without limiting powers conferred upon it elsewhere under the Law, make Regulations extending, waiving or modifying the list of matters specified in Schedule 2.

9. — Exclusion or modification by the parties

(1) The parties to a contract may exclude the application of this Law or derogate from or vary the effect of any of its provisions, except as otherwise provided in this Law.

(2) Without prejudice to Article 9(1), nothing in this Law shall prevent the parties to a contract or transaction from:

(a) excluding the use of Electronic Records, Electronic Communications or Electronic Signatures in the contract or transaction by agreement; or

(b) imposing additional requirements as to the form or authentication of the contract or transaction by agreement.

Part 3: ELECTRONIC RECORDS

10. — Legal recognition of Electronic Records

Information shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an Electronic Record.

11. — Requirement for writing

Where any provision set out in any other DIFC law requires Information to be written or in writing, or provides for certain consequences if Information is not written or in writing, an Electronic Record satisfies that provision set out in the other DIFC law if it preserves a record of the Information contained therein and is capable of being reproduced in tangible form.

12. — Provision of Information in writing and presentation of Records

(1) If parties have agreed to conduct a transaction by Electronic means and a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires a person to provide, send, or deliver Information in writing to another person, the requirement is satisfied if the Information is provided, sent, or delivered, as the case may be, in an Electronic Communication capable of retention by the Addressee at the time of receipt. An Electronic Communication is not capable of retention by the Addressee if the Originator or the Originator's Information System inhibits the ability of the Addressee to reproduce in tangible form or retain the Electronic Communication.

(2) If a provision set out in any other DIFC law other than this Law requires a Record (i) to be posted or displayed in a certain manner, (ii) to be sent, communicated, or transmitted by a specified method, or (iii) to contain information in a certain form, the following rules apply:

(a) the Record must be posted or displayed in the manner specified in the other law;

(b) except as otherwise provided in Article 12(4)(b), the Record must be sent, communicated, or transmitted by the method specified in the other law; and

(c) the Record must contain the Information in the form specified in the other law.

(3) If an Originator inhibits the ability of an Addressee to reproduce in tangible form or retain an Electronic Record, the Electronic Record is not enforceable against the Addressee.

(4) The requirements of this Article may not be varied by agreement, but:

(a) to the extent a DIFC law other than this Law requires Information to be provided, sent, or delivered in writing but permits that requirement to be varied by agreement, the requirement under Article 12(1) that the Information be in the form of an Electronic Record capable of retention may also be varied by agreement; and

(b) a requirement under a DIFC law other than this Law to send, communicate, or transmit a Record by post may be varied by agreement to the extent permitted by the other law.

13. — Retention of Electronic Records

(1) Where a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires any Record or Information to be retained, or provides for certain consequences if it is not retained, that requirement is satisfied by retaining the Record or Information in the form of an Electronic Record if the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) the Electronic Record preserves a record of the Information contained therein and is capable of being reproduced in tangible form;

(b) the Electronic Record is retained in the format in which it was originally created, generated, sent, communicated, or received, or in a format which can be demonstrated to accurately replicate the Information originally created, generated, sent, communicated, or received;

(c) such information, if any, as enables the identification of the origin and destination of an Electronic Record, any party that generated, sent, communicated or received the Electronic Record, or the date and time thereof, is retained; and

(d) any additional requirements relating to the retention of such Electronic Records specified by the Centre Body which has supervision over the requirement for the retention of such records are complied with.

(2) An obligation to retain any Record or Information in accordance with Article 13(1) shall not extend to any information the sole purpose of which is to enable the Electronic Record to be sent or received.

(3) A person may satisfy the requirement referred to in Article 13(1) by using the services of any other person, if the conditions in paragraphs (a) to (d) of Article 13(1) are complied with.

(4) If a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires a Record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides for certain consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, that provision set out in the other DIFC law is satisfied by an Electronic Record retained in accordance with Article 13(1) unless a DIFC law enacted, amended or re-enacted after the commencement date of this Law specifically prohibits the use of an Electronic Record for the specified purpose.

(5) If a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires the retention of a cheque, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an Electronic Record of the information on the front and back of the cheque in accordance with Article 13(1).

(6) A Record retained as an Electronic Record in accordance with Article 13(1) satisfies any DIFC law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes unless a DIFC law enacted, amended or re-enacted after the commencement date of this Law specifically prohibits the use of an Electronic Record for the specified purpose.

(7) This Article does not preclude a Centre Body from specifying additional requirements for the retention of a Record subject to the relevant Centre Body's jurisdiction.

14. — Admissibility of Electronic Records in evidence

In any proceedings before the Court, evidence of a Record may not be excluded solely because it is in Electronic form.

Part 4: ELECTRONIC CONTRACTS

15. — Legal recognition of electronic contracts

A contract may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because an Electronic Record was used in its formation.

16. — Formation and validity of contracts via Electronic Communications

(1) For the avoidance of doubt, in the context of the formation of contracts, an offer and the acceptance of an offer may be expressed by means of Electronic Communications.

(2) Where an Electronic Communication is used in the formation of a contract, that contract shall not be denied validity or enforceability solely on the ground that an Electronic Communication was used for that purpose.

17. — Effectiveness between parties

As between the Originator and the Addressee of an Electronic Communication, a declaration of intent or other statement shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an Electronic Communication.

18. — Invitation to make offer

A proposal to conclude a contract made through one or more Electronic Communications which is not addressed to one or more specific parties, but is generally accessible to parties making use of Information Systems, including a proposal that makes use of interactive applications for the placement of orders through such Information Systems, is to be considered as an invitation to make offers, unless it clearly indicates the intention of the party making the proposal to be bound in case of acceptance.

19. — Use of automated message systems for contract formation

A contract formed by the interaction of an automated message system and a natural person, or by the interaction of automated message systems, shall not be denied validity or enforceability solely on the ground that no natural person reviewed or intervened in each of the individual actions carried out by the automated message systems or the resulting contract.

20. — Time and place of despatch and receipt

(1) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, the time of despatch of an Electronic Communication is:

(a) the time when it leaves an Information System under the control of the Originator or of the party who sent it on behalf of the Originator; or

(b) if the Electronic Communication has not left an Information System under the control of the Originator or of the party who sent it on behalf of the Originator, the time when the Electronic Communication is received.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, the time of receipt of an Electronic Communication is the time when the Electronic Communication becomes capable of being retrieved by the Addressee at an electronic address designated by the Addressee.

(3) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, the time of receipt of an Electronic Communication at an electronic address that has not been designated by the Addressee is the time when the Electronic Communication becomes capable of being retrieved by the Addressee at that address and the Addressee becomes aware that the Electronic Communication has been sent to that address.

(4) For the purposes of Article 20(3), an Electronic Communication is presumed to be capable of being retrieved by the Addressee when it reaches the electronic address of the Addressee.

(5) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, an Electronic Communication is deemed to be despatched at the place where the Originator has its place of business and is deemed to be received at the place where the Addressee has its place of business.

(6) Articles 20(2), 20(3) and 20(4) shall apply notwithstanding that the place where the Information System supporting an electronic address is located may be different from the place where the Electronic Communication is deemed to be received under Article 20(5).

Part 5: ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

21. — Legal recognition of Electronic Signatures

Where any provision set out in any other DIFC law requires the signature of any person, or provides for certain consequences if a document or a record is not signed, that provision set out in the other DIFC law is satisfied if an Electronic Signature is used.

22. — Validity of Electronic Signatures

An Electronic Signature is deemed to identify the relevant person and to indicate that person's intention in respect of the Information contained in the Electronic Record provided that the type of Electronic Signature used is:

(a) as reliable as appropriate for the purpose for which the document or record was generated or communicated, in the light of all the circumstances, including any relevant agreement; or

(b) proven in fact to have fulfilled the functions described in paragraph (a), by itself or together with further evidence.

23. — Attribution and effect of Electronic Signature

(1) An Electronic Signature is attributable to a person if it was the act of the person. The act of the person may be shown in any manner, including a showing of the efficacy of any security procedure applied to determine the person to which the electronic record or electronic signature was attributable.

(2) The effect of an Electronic Signature attributed to a person under Article 23(1) is determined from the context and surrounding circumstances at the time of its creation, execution, or adoption, including the parties' agreement, if any, and otherwise as provided by law.

24. — Admissibility of Electronic Signatures in evidence

In any proceedings before the Court, evidence of a signature may not be excluded solely because it is in Electronic form.

Part 6: SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

25. — Regulations

(1) The Board of Directors may make Regulations under the Law in respect of any matters related to the application of the Law.

(2) Where the Board of Directors issues a standard or code of practice, it may incorporate such a standard or code into the Regulations by reference and in such circumstances, except to the extent that the Regulations otherwise provide, a person who is subject to the provisions of any such standard or code shall comply with such provisions as if they were provisions of the Regulations.

(3) Where any legislation made for the purpose of this Law purports to be made in exercise of a particular power or powers, it shall be taken also to be made in the exercise of all powers under which it may be made.

(4) The Board of Directors shall publish draft Regulations by means of a notice under Article 25(5).

(5) The notice of draft Regulations shall include the following:

(a) the draft text of the Regulations;

(b) a statement of the substance and purpose of the material provisions of the draft Regulations; and

(c) a summary of the draft Regulations.

(6) Upon publication of a notice under Article 25(6), the Board of Directors shall invite interested persons to make representations with respect to the draft Regulations within a period of at least thirty (30) days after the publication, or within such period as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine.

(7) Article 25(4), Article 25(5) and Article 25(6) shall not apply if the Board of Directors concludes that any delay likely to arise under such Articles is prejudicial to the interests of the DIFC.

(8) Any period of time during which the Board of Directors invites interested persons to make representations with respect to draft Regulations prior to Article 25 coming into effect shall be deemed to count as part or all of the period referred to in Article 25(6).

1. — Rules of interpretation

2. — Legislation in DIFC

3. — Defined terms

Part 1: GENERAL

1. — Title and repeal

This Law may be cited as the "Electronic Transactions Law, DIFC Law No. 2 of 2017".

2. — Legislative Authority

This Law is made by the Ruler of Dubai.

3. — Application of the Law

This Law applies in the jurisdiction of the Dubai International Financial Centre.

4. — Date of enactment

This Law is enacted on the date specified in the Enactment Notice in respect of this Law.

5. — Commencement

This Law comes into force on the date specified in the Enactment Notice in respect of this Law.

6. — Interpretation

Schedule 1 contains interpretative provisions which apply to this Law and a list of defined terms used in this Law.

7. — Purpose of the Law

The purpose of this Law is:

(a) to facilitate electronic transactions in DIFC, to eliminate barriers to electronic transactions resulting from uncertainties over writing and signature requirements, and to promote the development of the legal and business infrastructure necessary to implement secure electronic transactions in DIFC; and

(b) to help to establish uniformity of rules, regulations and standards in DIFC regarding the authentication and integrity of electronic records.

Part 2: EXCLUSIONS

8. — Excluded matters

(1) The provisions of Parts 3, 4 and 5 of this Law shall not apply to any provision set out in any other DIFC law requiring writing or signatures in any of the matters specified in Schedule 2.

(2) The Board of Directors may, without limiting powers conferred upon it elsewhere under the Law, make Regulations extending, waiving or modifying the list of matters specified in Schedule 2.

9. — Exclusion or modification by the parties

(1) The parties to a contract may exclude the application of this Law or derogate from or vary the effect of any of its provisions, except as otherwise provided in this Law.

(2) Without prejudice to Article 9(1), nothing in this Law shall prevent the parties to a contract or transaction from:

(a) excluding the use of Electronic Records, Electronic Communications or Electronic Signatures in the contract or transaction by agreement; or

(b) imposing additional requirements as to the form or authentication of the contract or transaction by agreement.

Part 3: ELECTRONIC RECORDS

10. — Legal recognition of Electronic Records

Information shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an Electronic Record.

11. — Requirement for writing

Where any provision set out in any other DIFC law requires Information to be written or in writing, or provides for certain consequences if Information is not written or in writing, an Electronic Record satisfies that provision set out in the other DIFC law if it preserves a record of the Information contained therein and is capable of being reproduced in tangible form.

12. — Provision of Information in writing and presentation of Records

(1) If parties have agreed to conduct a transaction by Electronic means and a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires a person to provide, send, or deliver Information in writing to another person, the requirement is satisfied if the Information is provided, sent, or delivered, as the case may be, in an Electronic Communication capable of retention by the Addressee at the time of receipt. An Electronic Communication is not capable of retention by the Addressee if the Originator or the Originator's Information System inhibits the ability of the Addressee to reproduce in tangible form or retain the Electronic Communication.

(2) If a provision set out in any other DIFC law other than this Law requires a Record (i) to be posted or displayed in a certain manner, (ii) to be sent, communicated, or transmitted by a specified method, or (iii) to contain information in a certain form, the following rules apply:

(a) the Record must be posted or displayed in the manner specified in the other law;

(b) except as otherwise provided in Article 12(4)(b), the Record must be sent, communicated, or transmitted by the method specified in the other law; and

(c) the Record must contain the Information in the form specified in the other law.

(3) If an Originator inhibits the ability of an Addressee to reproduce in tangible form or retain an Electronic Record, the Electronic Record is not enforceable against the Addressee.

(4) The requirements of this Article may not be varied by agreement, but:

(a) to the extent a DIFC law other than this Law requires Information to be provided, sent, or delivered in writing but permits that requirement to be varied by agreement, the requirement under Article 12(1) that the Information be in the form of an Electronic Record capable of retention may also be varied by agreement; and

(b) a requirement under a DIFC law other than this Law to send, communicate, or transmit a Record by post may be varied by agreement to the extent permitted by the other law.

13. — Retention of Electronic Records

(1) Where a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires any Record or Information to be retained, or provides for certain consequences if it is not retained, that requirement is satisfied by retaining the Record or Information in the form of an Electronic Record if the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) the Electronic Record preserves a record of the Information contained therein and is capable of being reproduced in tangible form;

(b) the Electronic Record is retained in the format in which it was originally created, generated, sent, communicated, or received, or in a format which can be demonstrated to accurately replicate the Information originally created, generated, sent, communicated, or received;

(c) such information, if any, as enables the identification of the origin and destination of an Electronic Record, any party that generated, sent, communicated or received the Electronic Record, or the date and time thereof, is retained; and

(d) any additional requirements relating to the retention of such Electronic Records specified by the Centre Body which has supervision over the requirement for the retention of such records are complied with.

(2) An obligation to retain any Record or Information in accordance with Article 13(1) shall not extend to any information the sole purpose of which is to enable the Electronic Record to be sent or received.

(3) A person may satisfy the requirement referred to in Article 13(1) by using the services of any other person, if the conditions in paragraphs (a) to (d) of Article 13(1) are complied with.

(4) If a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires a Record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides for certain consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, that provision set out in the other DIFC law is satisfied by an Electronic Record retained in accordance with Article 13(1) unless a DIFC law enacted, amended or re-enacted after the commencement date of this Law specifically prohibits the use of an Electronic Record for the specified purpose.

(5) If a provision set out in any other DIFC law requires the retention of a cheque, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an Electronic Record of the information on the front and back of the cheque in accordance with Article 13(1).

(6) A Record retained as an Electronic Record in accordance with Article 13(1) satisfies any DIFC law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes unless a DIFC law enacted, amended or re-enacted after the commencement date of this Law specifically prohibits the use of an Electronic Record for the specified purpose.

(7) This Article does not preclude a Centre Body from specifying additional requirements for the retention of a Record subject to the relevant Centre Body's jurisdiction.

14. — Admissibility of Electronic Records in evidence

In any proceedings before the Court, evidence of a Record may not be excluded solely because it is in Electronic form.

Part 4: ELECTRONIC CONTRACTS

15. — Legal recognition of electronic contracts

A contract may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because an Electronic Record was used in its formation.

16. — Formation and validity of contracts via Electronic Communications

(1) For the avoidance of doubt, in the context of the formation of contracts, an offer and the acceptance of an offer may be expressed by means of Electronic Communications.

(2) Where an Electronic Communication is used in the formation of a contract, that contract shall not be denied validity or enforceability solely on the ground that an Electronic Communication was used for that purpose.

17. — Effectiveness between parties

As between the Originator and the Addressee of an Electronic Communication, a declaration of intent or other statement shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of an Electronic Communication.

18. — Invitation to make offer

A proposal to conclude a contract made through one or more Electronic Communications which is not addressed to one or more specific parties, but is generally accessible to parties making use of Information Systems, including a proposal that makes use of interactive applications for the placement of orders through such Information Systems, is to be considered as an invitation to make offers, unless it clearly indicates the intention of the party making the proposal to be bound in case of acceptance.

19. — Use of automated message systems for contract formation

A contract formed by the interaction of an automated message system and a natural person, or by the interaction of automated message systems, shall not be denied validity or enforceability solely on the ground that no natural person reviewed or intervened in each of the individual actions carried out by the automated message systems or the resulting contract.

20. — Time and place of despatch and receipt

(1) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, the time of despatch of an Electronic Communication is:

(a) the time when it leaves an Information System under the control of the Originator or of the party who sent it on behalf of the Originator; or

(b) if the Electronic Communication has not left an Information System under the control of the Originator or of the party who sent it on behalf of the Originator, the time when the Electronic Communication is received.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, the time of receipt of an Electronic Communication is the time when the Electronic Communication becomes capable of being retrieved by the Addressee at an electronic address designated by the Addressee.

(3) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, the time of receipt of an Electronic Communication at an electronic address that has not been designated by the Addressee is the time when the Electronic Communication becomes capable of being retrieved by the Addressee at that address and the Addressee becomes aware that the Electronic Communication has been sent to that address.

(4) For the purposes of Article 20(3), an Electronic Communication is presumed to be capable of being retrieved by the Addressee when it reaches the electronic address of the Addressee.

(5) Unless otherwise agreed between the Originator and the Addressee, an Electronic Communication is deemed to be despatched at the place where the Originator has its place of business and is deemed to be received at the place where the Addressee has its place of business.

(6) Articles 20(2), 20(3) and 20(4) shall apply notwithstanding that the place where the Information System supporting an electronic address is located may be different from the place where the Electronic Communication is deemed to be received under Article 20(5).

Part 5: ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

21. — Legal recognition of Electronic Signatures

Where any provision set out in any other DIFC law requires the signature of any person, or provides for certain consequences if a document or a record is not signed, that provision set out in the other DIFC law is satisfied if an Electronic Signature is used.

22. — Validity of Electronic Signatures

An Electronic Signature is deemed to identify the relevant person and to indicate that person's intention in respect of the Information contained in the Electronic Record provided that the type of Electronic Signature used is:

(a) as reliable as appropriate for the purpose for which the document or record was generated or communicated, in the light of all the circumstances, including any relevant agreement; or

(b) proven in fact to have fulfilled the functions described in paragraph (a), by itself or together with further evidence.

23. — Attribution and effect of Electronic Signature

(1) An Electronic Signature is attributable to a person if it was the act of the person. The act of the person may be shown in any manner, including a showing of the efficacy of any security procedure applied to determine the person to which the electronic record or electronic signature was attributable.

(2) The effect of an Electronic Signature attributed to a person under Article 23(1) is determined from the context and surrounding circumstances at the time of its creation, execution, or adoption, including the parties' agreement, if any, and otherwise as provided by law.

24. — Admissibility of Electronic Signatures in evidence

In any proceedings before the Court, evidence of a signature may not be excluded solely because it is in Electronic form.

Part 6: SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

25. — Regulations

(1) The Board of Directors may make Regulations under the Law in respect of any matters related to the application of the Law.

(2) Where the Board of Directors issues a standard or code of practice, it may incorporate such a standard or code into the Regulations by reference and in such circumstances, except to the extent that the Regulations otherwise provide, a person who is subject to the provisions of any such standard or code shall comply with such provisions as if they were provisions of the Regulations.

(3) Where any legislation made for the purpose of this Law purports to be made in exercise of a particular power or powers, it shall be taken also to be made in the exercise of all powers under which it may be made.

(4) The Board of Directors shall publish draft Regulations by means of a notice under Article 25(5).

(5) The notice of draft Regulations shall include the following:

(a) the draft text of the Regulations;

(b) a statement of the substance and purpose of the material provisions of the draft Regulations; and

(c) a summary of the draft Regulations.

(6) Upon publication of a notice under Article 25(6), the Board of Directors shall invite interested persons to make representations with respect to the draft Regulations within a period of at least thirty (30) days after the publication, or within such period as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine.

(7) Article 25(4), Article 25(5) and Article 25(6) shall not apply if the Board of Directors concludes that any delay likely to arise under such Articles is prejudicial to the interests of the DIFC.

(8) Any period of time during which the Board of Directors invites interested persons to make representations with respect to draft Regulations prior to Article 25 coming into effect shall be deemed to count as part or all of the period referred to in Article 25(6).

1. — Rules of interpretation

2. — Legislation in DIFC

3. — Defined terms