General Legal Regime for Electronic Commerce and Electronic Signatures Decree-Law (Decree-Law No. 12/2024 of February 13)

Decree-Law No. 12/2024 of Timor-Leste provides a legal framework for electronic transactions, records, and electronic signatures, particularly in the context of e-commerce. It applies to the formation and acceptance of electronic records, the use and legal status of electronic signatures, and the formation of contracts by electronic means, subject to specific exceptions. 

The decree ensures the legal effectiveness of electronic records and signatures and their use as evidence in legal proceedings and sets out the conditions for the preservation of electronic records. It outlines the framework for certifying electronic signatures of entities, including ensuring security levels for electronic signatures and providing reliable systems for storing certificates, and designates the Agência de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação I.P. (TIC TIMOR) as the accrediting authority for this purpose. It also establishes a sanctioning regime, including fines for administrative offenses.