THE ROLE OF JURISPRUDENCE IN NATIONAL CIVIL LAW REFORM: ANALYSIS OF SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON DIGITAL AGREEMENTS AND ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

Abstract

This article examines the pivotal role of judicial precedent in shaping civil law reform concerning digital agreements and electronic signatures. Through doctrinal analysis of Supreme Court decisions from 2018-2024, this study explores how jurisprudence has influenced legislative amendments and regulatory frameworks governing electronic commerce. The research employs qualitative case analysis methodology, examining fifteen landmark Supreme Court decisions that established foundational principles for digital contract validity, authentication standards, and evidentiary requirements. Findings indicate that judicial interpretation has significantly accelerated legislative reform by establishing legal certainty in areas where statutory law remained ambiguous or outdated. The Supreme Court's progressive stance on technological adaptation has effectively bridged the gap between traditional contract law principles and contemporary digital commerce needs. This study reveals three distinct phases of jurisprudential development: initial resistance (2018-2019), transitional acceptance (2020-2021), and full integration (2022-2024) of digital agreements into mainstream civil law doctrine (Stevens, 2023). The article concludes that judicial activism in technology-related cases has proven essential for maintaining legal system relevance in the digital age. However, limitations exist regarding the pace of technological change outstripping judicial capacity to address emerging issues comprehensively.