Date of Defense
7-4-2026 11:00 AM
Location
Microsoft Teams
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Public Law (MPL)
College
COL
Department
Public Law
First Advisor
Dr. Abu Al-Wafa Mohammed Abu Al-Wafa
Keywords
Forgery, Electronic Document, Electronic Transactions, Digital Evidence, UAE Law.
Abstract
This study aims to examine the crime of electronic document forgery in accordance with the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services in the United Arab Emirates. The study begins by establishing the legal concept of the electronic document and distinguishing it from the traditional written instrument, in order to determine the scope of criminal protection granted under the applicable legislation. It also reviews the possible forms of forgery within the digital environment and addresses the adequacy of the legal provisions in defining the elements of the crime and the penalties prescribed thereto.
The study adopts an analytical approach to achieve its objectives by analyzing the provisions set forth in the Electronic Transactions Law, in addition to relevant judicial rulings and jurisprudential opinions, in order to identify the practical application of the rules governing electronic document forgery within the UAE legislative framework.
The study reaches several findings, most notably that electronic documents enjoy legal protection equivalent to that granted to traditional documents, and that their forgery constitutes an independent crime once its material and moral elements are fulfilled. It further demonstrates that the technical nature of electronic documents imposes particular challenges in terms of proof and the detection of digital manipulation. Accordingly, the study recommends developing technical mechanisms for examining electronic evidence and enhancing the technical qualification of the competent authorities to ensure the effectiveness of the criminal protection afforded to electronic documents.
Included in
THE CRIME OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT FORGERY IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL DECREE-LAW NO. (46) OF 2021 ON ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS AND TRUST SERVICES
Microsoft Teams
This study aims to examine the crime of electronic document forgery in accordance with the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services in the United Arab Emirates. The study begins by establishing the legal concept of the electronic document and distinguishing it from the traditional written instrument, in order to determine the scope of criminal protection granted under the applicable legislation. It also reviews the possible forms of forgery within the digital environment and addresses the adequacy of the legal provisions in defining the elements of the crime and the penalties prescribed thereto.
The study adopts an analytical approach to achieve its objectives by analyzing the provisions set forth in the Electronic Transactions Law, in addition to relevant judicial rulings and jurisprudential opinions, in order to identify the practical application of the rules governing electronic document forgery within the UAE legislative framework.
The study reaches several findings, most notably that electronic documents enjoy legal protection equivalent to that granted to traditional documents, and that their forgery constitutes an independent crime once its material and moral elements are fulfilled. It further demonstrates that the technical nature of electronic documents imposes particular challenges in terms of proof and the detection of digital manipulation. Accordingly, the study recommends developing technical mechanisms for examining electronic evidence and enhancing the technical qualification of the competent authorities to ensure the effectiveness of the criminal protection afforded to electronic documents.