Saturday 08 / November / 2025
The Electronic Transactions Law of Oman has simplified the process of forming contracts electronically, ensuring that they are legally valid and enforceable. Contracts can now be created entirely or partially through digital means, including emails, online platforms, or automated systems.
Speaking exclusively to Times of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, a leading law office in the Sultanate, stated: “Electronic contracts become legally binding once the parties express their agreement through an ‘offer’ and ‘acceptance’ using electronic methods, such as clicking ‘I agree’ or digitally signing a document. The law recognises electronic signatures as valid, provided they meet reliability criteria.”
Dr. Al Zadjali explained that a simple electronic signature, such as typing one’s name, may suffice if it can be proven trustworthy. Meanwhile, advanced or qualified signatures, linked to verified certificates, offer stronger legal assurance.
He further highlighted that the law allows contracts to be formed automatically by pre-programmed systems (like chatbots or online payment gateways) without direct human involvement. For instance, buying a product online through a website’s automated checkout process creates a valid contract, if the user knows they are interacting with such a system. However, the government may set specific technical and security standards for these automated systems to ensure fairness and transparency.
Electronic contracts are treated on par with traditional paper contracts in terms of legal validity. If a party requires an “original” document, an electronic version can serve this purpose, provided it accurately displays the content and maintains authenticity, such as unaltered PDFs with timestamps. In case of disputes, courts assess the reliability of the electronic processes used to create or store the contract.
“Oman’s law updates contract rules to include online agreements, making them legally as valid as paper contracts, as long as they meet clear standards for security, transparency, and fairness,” he concluded.
* (Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established 18 years ago and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property
and more).
