Evidential weight and legal admissibility of electronic information
Press release - 9 December 2008
BSI British Standards has published BS 10008, Evidential weight and legal admissibility of electronic information – Specification. The standard sets out the requirements for the implementation and operation of electronic information management systems, including the storage and transfer of information, and addresses issues relating to authenticity and integrity of information.
Legal admissibility concerns whether or not a piece of evidence would be accepted by a court of law. To ensure admissibility, information must be managed by a secure system throughout its lifetime (which can be for many years). Where doubt can be placed on the information, the evidential weight may be reduced, potentially harming the legal case.
BS 10008 ensures that any electronic information required as evidence of a business transaction is afforded the maximum evidential weight. The process is based on the specification of the requirements for planning, implementing, operating, monitoring and improving the organization’s information management systems. Specific areas covered by the standard include:
- The management of electronic information over long period, including through technology changes, where information integrity is a vital business requirement
- How to manage the various risks associated with electronic information
- How to demonstrate the authenticity of electronic information
- The management of quality issues related to document scanning processes
- The provision of a full life history of an electronic object throughout its life.
Alan Shipman, chairman of the BSI committee responsible for the development of BS 10008, said: “The new standard is an important step in ensuring the admissibility of evidence in the UK. BS 10008 has been developed by a wide range of experts in the field of document management and has taken into account all the feedback received during the public comment period.”
BS 10008 combines some of the content of the BSI guides, BIP 0008-1, BIP 0008-2 and BIP 0008-3. BIPs 0008-1,2,3 are still current and can be used in parallel to BS 10008.
BS 10008 is now available from www.bsigroup.com/BS10008
About BSI Group
BSI British Standards is part of BSI Group, a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world’s first national standards body, the Group has over 2,300 staff operating in over 120 countries through more than 50 global offices. The Group’s key offerings are:
- The development and sale of private, national and international standards and supporting information
- Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification
- Product testing and certification of services and products
- Performance management software solutions
- Training services in support of standards implementation and business best practice.
For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com.
