The ESCWA Cyber Legislation Digest This directive is concerned with two aspects of e-Signatures and e-Transactions. On the one hand, there is the legal aspect of their use. On the other, there is the technological aspect related to such facilities as encryption systems, public and private key etc. The issues researched and addressed by this directive include: 1. Electronic signature, records and evidence. This covers regular and official records as well as copies thereof. It also covers the specification of legal conditions that define the authenticity of electronic records and their use as evidence. Also addressed are the data elements and mechanisms to be used when using electronic signatures. 2. The duties and responsibilities of the certification service provider or the owner of the certification and the relying party. This also covers the regularization of the procedures to be followed when issuing authenticated certificates. 3. Legal recognition of countries outside the Arab region of electronic certification. This also considers the issues resulting from authenticated certificates issued outside the Arab region. 4. Financial and banking transactions which covers all types of payment and transfer orders, banking cards and automated withdrawals as well as electronic cash and checks. Also addressed are the specifications of the information systems used for such transactions and the responsibilities of the banks and financial institutions that deal with such transactions and their obligation to safeguard the interests of their clients. Work was distributed under two sections. The first dealt with the legal aspects of electronic transactions. The second dealt with the technological aspect specifically addressing encryption systems, the use of public and private key as well as the identification of authentication providers within European countries. This directive identifies five chapters as follows: Chapter 1: Chapter 2: Chapter 3: Chapter 4: Chapter 5: General Provisions Electronic Records and Signatures The responsibilities of Authentication Service Providers, the owner of the certificate and the relying party Legal recognition of Authentication Certificates issued in Countries outside the Arab Region Banking and Financial Transactions Their related sections and articles are listed in Appendix A. Directive 3: e-Commerce and Consumer Protection Over the past thirty years, commercial transactions occurred through direct or web based connectivity. This consisted of the transfer and acceptance of documentation, electronically such as invoices, payments or transfer orders, contracts and financial statements. The 14