Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017

Electronic transactions - Preliminary provisions

209: Interpretation

You could also call this:

“Explaining important words used in this part of the law”

In this part of the law, unless the context says otherwise, there are some important words and phrases you need to know:

A data storage device is anything that can store information that you can get back later. This could be something like a disk.

Electronic means anything that uses electricity, digital technology, magnets, light, electromagnetic waves, biometrics, or photons.

An electronic communication is when you send a message using electronic means.

An electronic signature is a way to show who you are and that you agree with some electronic information.

Information can be many things. It can be a document, a signature, a seal, data, text, pictures, sound, or speech.

An information system is explained in another part of the law (section 213(2)).

A legal requirement is also explained in another part of the law (section 219(2)).

A security interest is when someone has a right to some property because it’s being used to make sure a payment is made or a task is done. It doesn’t matter what form this takes or who officially owns the property.

A transaction can mean different things. It can be something that’s not about business, a single message, or the result of many related messages.

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Part 4 Electronic transactions
Preliminary provisions

209Interpretation

  1. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—

    data storage device means any article or device (for example, a disk) from which information is capable of being reproduced, with or without the aid of any other article or device

      electronic includes electrical, digital, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, biometric, and photonic

        electronic communication means a communication by electronic means

          electronic signature, in relation to information in electronic form, means a method used to identify a person and to indicate that person’s approval of that information

            information includes information (whether in its original form or otherwise) that is in the form of a document, a signature, a seal, data, text, images, sound, or speech

              information system has the meaning set out in section 213(2)

                legal requirement has the meaning set out in section 219(2)

                  security interest means an interest in property created or provided for by a transaction that, in substance, secures payment or performance of an obligation, without regard to—

                  1. the form of the transaction; and
                    1. the identity of the person who has title to the property that is subject to the security interest

                      transaction includes—

                      1. a transaction of a non-commercial nature:
                        1. a single communication:
                          1. the outcome of multiple related communications.

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                          Notes
                          • Section 209 security interest: inserted, on , by section 42 of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 11).