The new book XIII on evidence Prof dr

The new book XIII on evidence Prof. dr. Benoit Allemeersch

Context • New civil code • Book XIII on Evidence • Based on comparative study of evidence law in FR, NL, DE, AT, CH • Purpose: didactical • Hence no paradigm shift 2 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid

Starting point • Dual system in evidence : regulated evidence vs freedom of proof • Hierarchy of methods of proof for transactions with natural persons • Requirement of signed, written evidence for private transactions of a value exceeding 375 EUR 3 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid

Main characteristics of the reform • Did not abolish the dual system in evidence • Did not abolish the requirement of signed, written evidence for private transactions of a certain value • But effects of formalism in evidence strongly attenuated: expanding scope of application of the principle of unrestricted evidence 4 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid

Main characteristics of the reform • Signed written evidence no longer required for: • private transactions below 3. 500 EUR • proof of unilateral commitments • proof against third parties 5 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid

Digital evidence Digital written evidence Electronic signature Digital copies 6 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid

Digital written evidence • Statutory definition • Any durable medium which can provide guarantees as to its integrity • Does not mean unchangeable or unalterable or immune to manipulation or fraud • Any alterations must be detectable • Flexible interpretation of the required number of originals for digital contracts 7 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid

Electronic signature • Broad definition of “signature” • Sign or sequence of signs, hand-written or electronic • Serves to identify the author • Implies expression of a certain consent 8 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid

Electronic signature • Definition of “electronic signature”: EU-based • Reference to e. IDAS regulation • Electronic signature, advanced electronic signature and qualified electronic signature • Notarial deed and attorney deed require qualified electronic signature 9 Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid

Digital copies Copies made by qualified electronic archiving service • Same legal evidentiary value as the original • Without the need to produce the original • QEAS: regulated in the Code of Economic Law (Book XII, title 2) 10 Other copies • • • Qualify as a presumption of fact Must be corroborated by other evidence Production of the original may be required Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid