Issues of determining the original of electronic evidence in the civil procedure of Ukraine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21564/2414-990x.147.175838Keywords:
civil procedure, means of proof, electronic evidence, original of electronic evidence, reliability of evidenceAbstract
The article is devoted to the research of the concept of originals of electronic evidence, in particular the possibility to recognize an electronic information item as original on the basis of certain criteria. The issue is relevant, given the numerous cases of courts refusing to recognize electronic evidence as originals, as well as the uncertainty of this concept in the civil procedure legislation of Ukraine.
At the beginning of the article the author gives a series of definitions, which are enshrined in national and international standards, academic dictionaries and legal acts that govern similar legal relations. Based on the analysis, several characteristics are identified to serve as criteria for assessing the originality of electronic information. It allows outlining three approaches to understanding of the originals of electronic evidence: materialistic, structural and interpersonal.
It is proved that in accordance with the philosophy of dialectical materialism, on which the Ukrainian theory of proof is based, the use of the term “original” with respect to information is incorrect, and the concept of the original of electronic evidence is meaningless. According to the structural approach, the originals of electronic evidence are inherent in the unity of all internal components, which is absent in their copies. This is manifested in the presence in the originals of electronic evidence of certain details, among which metadata occupies a prominent place. The subjective attitude of the participants in a case to a specific form of expression of electronic information can also affect its recognition as an original, including the voluntary recognition by all participants of a case of the authenticity of a certain copy of an electronic document.
Based on the results of the study, the author suggests some ways how to improve the situation that has developed around the concept of the originals of electronic evidence in the civil procedure of Ukraine. Among the possible scenarios there are a change in the definition of the concept of electronic evidence, fixing a separate definition of the original of electronic evidence and a radical rejection of the use of the term “original” to electronic evidence.
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