Table of Contents
- Does a certified email have legal validity in a lawsuit?
- Elements that reinforce the probative value of a certified email
- Cases in which a certified email has high probative value
- Tips to reinforce the evidentiary value of a certified email
- Frequently asked questions about the legal value of certified email in lawsuits
Las comunicaciones digitales han ido ganando relevancia en los últimos años. Es una clara apuesta por la sostenibilidad, a la vez que aportan comodidad, inmediatez y ahorro de costes a las empresas. Se pueden realizar a través de distintos canales (email, SMS, WhatsApp o publicaciones web), que se adaptan a tus prioridades en cada momento.
Pero, ¿cualquiera de estas soluciones tiene validez legal? Es evidente que a una empresa le interesa poder adjuntar estas comunicaciones en caso de una disputa legal. Hasta ahora, parecía que la única opción válida en un juicio eran los burofax postal online. Sin embargo, los email certificados le ofrecen a una empresa posibilidades probatorias muy interesantes.
Contenidos relacionados:
> Uso del email certificado en la gestión de despidos y sanciones laborales
> Email certificado frente a otros medios de notificación: análisis de costes y eficacia
Does a certified email have legal validity in a lawsuit?
Los avances tecnológicos han ido transformando todas las facetas de la vida de manera progresiva. En el ámbito judicial, la validez legal de las comunicaciones electrónicas también ha tenido que adaptarse.
Es lo que manifiesta la modificación del artículo 299.2 de la Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil, que incorpora la prueba documental electrónica a los procedimientos judiciales. Aquí, encaja perfectamente el email certificado.
Esta validez legal viene especificada en el Reglamento eIDAS, que aplica en el territorio de la UE y, por tanto, en España. El resto de países tienen normativas similares.
Sin embargo, conviene destacar que, para que tengan valor probatorio total, es imprescindible que estos correos garanticen su integridad y su inalterabilidad, a la vez que se puede contrastar su fecha y hora de envío. También es imprescindible que se respeten, en todo momento, las normativas sobre protección de datos en lo referido al email certificado, su integridad y confidencialidad.
Para más información, descubre las diferencias entre el email certificado y el burofax postal online en el uso empresarial.
Elements that reinforce the probative value of a certified email
La manera en la que se diseña la certificación de datos de un email electrónico es determinante para que adquiera un nivel probatorio más completo o menos. Si buscas que se convierta en una prueba de validez legal total, estos son los elementos que debes incluir. Bien planteado, el email certificado se puede usar incluso para gestionar documentos y contratos en empresas con total validez legal.
Pero no nos podemos olvidar de que la clave es el papel que juegan los prestadores cualificados de servicios de certificación. Son ese tercero de confianza capacitado para verificar los datos e información del correo que se certifica, que son los siguientes.
Detailed record of shipment and receipt
The biggest evidentiary problem that a certified email may face is if the other party contests the validity of the entire email or any of its data.
It is therefore essential that you apply the utmost rigor in the data on the sending and receiving of the message. We recommend a certified digital identification of the sender and recipient is recommended.
Certification of message opening
It is not always necessary to prove that the recipient has opened the mail and read the data. However, if your company wants to avoid any problems, it is preferable to opt for certified email with acknowledgement of receipt.
This modality is provided in the sending platform and consists of receiving a confirmation that the recipient has received and opened the mail.
Regulatory compliance (eIDAS, RGPD)
The provider of electronic certification services has to move under the requirements of European legislation in two essential aspects. On the one hand, the strict respect of data protection (RGPD).
And, of course, as we have already mentioned, all the requirements detailed in the Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services Regulation (eIDAS).
Discover how to effectively provide e-mails as evidence in legal proceedings. in an effective way.
Cases in which a certified email has high probative value
In general, experts recommend using a postal bureaufax when full legal validity needs to be guaranteed. Meanwhile, certified emails are perfect for automated mailings and notifications that do not require such a high level of reliability.
Among these notices and notifications, which are usually sent by certified sent by means of certified e-mails include the following.
- Notification of dismissals or sanctions
All communications related to the Human Resources Department can be made by certified email, without losing their evidentiary validity. This includes dismissals, but also any change in contract conditions or disciplinary sanctions. - Confirmation of commercial or financial transactions
Matters involving money are always of the greatest concern to a company. First, that the security and discretion of all data is guaranteed. But, also, it is a focus of conflicts and lawsuits or claims.
Send by certified emails all commercial or financial notifications and you will be able to attach this document as evidence in any judicial process. - Contractual modifications
A dismissal is still the end of a contract. So, if a certified email is valid as evidence in a labor termination lawsuit, the same principle applies to any complete contractual agreement or to the one that is modified. However, it is always important that the certified communication obtains as much evidence as possible to reinforce its validity.
We recommend that these communications be made with acknowledgment of receipt, so that you can be sure that the information. - Dispute or claim resolution
Certified emails are also valid before other bodies that are not courts of law, such as mediators.
Tips to reinforce the evidentiary value of a certified email
- Elegir un proveedor homologado y reconocido
Indispensable para garantizar que se cumple la legislación y, por tanto, que se reconozca su papel como testigo acreditado. - Usar firma electrónica y cifrado de contenido
La firma electrónica es la forma más fiable de verificar la identidad del remitente de un email. Importante incluirla para que tenga total validez legal. El mismo nivel de autenticación proporciona al contenido.
Descubre qué es la firma electrónica y para qué sirve. - Mantener un registro actualizado y seguro de las comunicaciones
No es recomendable hacer modificaciones posteriores en los emails certificados. Sí conviene tener su almacenamiento actualizado, eliminando aquellos que ya no tienen validez y organizando el archivo de forma que sea fácil encontrar un correo en caso de necesitarlo.
En MailComms Group, como expertos en comunicaciones digitales, te recomendamos que cuentes con una combinación de soluciones multicanal. De esta forma, te aseguras de que tu empresa cubre todas sus necesidades de notificaciones, certificaciones y correo con el formato más apropiado en cada supuesto.
¡Consúltanos! Elaboramos un plan personalizado para facilitar la transición digital de tu empresa y te contaremos por qué el email certificado es un ejemplo de éxito para la digitalización de las comunicaciones legales.
Frequently asked questions about the legal value of certified email in lawsuits
Does a certified email have the same probative value as a notification by bureaufax?
A bureaufax always has the maximum evidentiary validity. In the case of certified emails, it depends on the level of certification and evidence they collect.
Is certified email valid as evidence in a labor lawsuit?
Yes, as long as it complies with the requirements set forth in the Workers’ Statute for the legal legally communicate a dismissal or disciplinary or a disciplinary sanction. That is to say, the message must include the date and causes of the dismissal, as well as certification of receipt by the addressee.
Is it mandatory for the recipient to open the certified email for it to have probative value?
No, what must be certified is the receipt and integrity of the content.
Does it serve as evidence in a commercial or civil trial?
In principle, yes, but it depends on the authentication, traceability and security requirements. It is advisable, for example, to add an electronic signature.
In fact, the companies that make most use of this messaging service are banking and finance, insurance, real estate and public administration.
What are the differences between a certified email and a regular email in terms of evidentiary value?
The most important thing is that a certified email cannot be manipulated, in any of its elements, neither the content nor the sending data (identities of sender and receiver, date and time). In addition, delivery can be guaranteed and even the recipient can be guaranteed to have seen it.