Electronic Signatures in Qatar

e-Commerce Law Article 28. An electronic signature shall have evidential weight if the following conditions are met:

1. the signature creation information are identified with the signatory and no other person;
2. the signature creation information were, at the time of signing, under the control of the signatory and of no other person;
3. any alteration to the electronic signature, made after the time of signing, is detectable;
4. where a purpose of the legal requirement for a signature is to provide assurance as to the integrity of the information to which it relates, any alteration made to such information after the time of signing is detectable.

The Supreme Council shall issue decisions to determine which electronic signature processes and technologies satisfy the provisions of the preceding provisions.

Article 29. Where initiating an electronic signature, the signatory shall comply with the following:

1. exercise reasonable diligence to avoid unauthorised use of its signature creation information. without undue delay, utilise means made available by the certification service provider pursuant to Articles 36 and 37 of this Law to notify any person that may reasonably be expected by the signatory to rely on the electronic signature or to take the necessary measures in support of the electronic signature if the signature creation information has been compromised, or circumstances give rise to a substantial risk that the signature creation information may have been compromised.
2. where a certification certificate is used to support the electronic signature, exercise reasonable diligence to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all material representations made by the signatory that are relevant to the certification certificate throughout its life cycle or that are to be included in the certification certificate.

Article 30.

A signatory shall bear the legal consequences of its failure to satisfy the aforementioned requirements as stipulated in the preceding Article.

Article 31.

A relying party shall bear the legal consequences of its failure to take reasonable steps to ensure that the requirements of the electronic signature stated in Article 28 herein have been met, or where an electronic signature is supported by a certification certificate, verify the validity, origin, suspension or revocation of the certificate, or any limitation thereon.

Article 32.

An electronic signature shall be deemed legally effective, regardless of the geographic location where the electronic signature is created or used, or the geographic location of the place of business of the signatory.

Article 33.

An electronic signature created or used outside the State of Qatar shall have the same legal effect in Qatar if the electronic signature offers an equal level of reliability that is not less than the level of reliability required under Article 28 of this Law.

Article 34.

Without prejudice to Article 28 of the Law, parties may agree to the use identified types of electronic signatures provided that the agreement is valid under the law.

External Resources: https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/
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https://almeezan.qa/

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