Information in original form

(1) Any public body that, pursuant to any written law– (a) accepts the filing of documents, or obtains information in any form; (b) requires that documents be created or retained; (c) requires documents, records or information to be provided or retained in their original form; (d) issues any permit, licence or approval; or (e) requires payment of any fee, charge or other amount by any method and manner of payment, may, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in such written law, carry out that function by means of electronic records or in electronic form. 10 (2) In any case where a public body decides to perform any of the functions in sub-section (1) by means of electronic records or in electronic form, the public body may specify– (a) the manner and format in which such electronic records shall be filed, created, retained, issued or provided; (b) where such electronic records have to be signed, the type of electronic signature required; (c) such control processes and procedures as may be appropriate to ensure adequate integrity, security and confidentiality of electronic records or payments; or (d) any other required attributes for electronic records or payments that are currently specified for corresponding paper documents. (3) For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any written law where any person is required by any written law to– (a) file any document with or provide information in any form to a public body; (b) create or retain any document for a public body; (c) use a prescribed form for an application or notification to, or other transaction with, a public body; (d) provide to or retain for a public body any document, record or information in its original form; or Electronic Transactions 11 (e) hold a licence, permit or other approval from a public body, such a requirement is satisfied by an electronic record specified by the public body for that purpose.