Odaily Planet Daily News Recently, in a maritime freight forwarding contract dispute case, the collegial panel referred to the "Shanghai Maritime Court Blockchain Evidence Review Guidelines" (hereinafter referred to as the "Guidelines"), and in the case of the defendant's whereabouts unknown, reviewed and identified the key electronic evidence stored in the third-party blockchain evidence storage platform, promoted the ascertainment of the facts of the case, and settled the dispute as soon as possible. The "Guidelines" include third-party evidence storage platforms and judicial blockchain platforms in the scope of attention, focusing on electronic evidence generated by application platforms such as blockchain bills of lading, port management, and cross-border settlement, and provide guidance on review points for judges. Article 12 of the "Guidelines" stipulates that for electronic data fixed and submitted through technical means such as trusted timestamps and electronic evidence storage platform authentication, the source of the electronic data, the degree of relevance to the facts of the case, and the connection between the electronic data should be combined with the source of the electronic data, the degree of relevance to the facts of the case, and the connection between the electronic data, in accordance with the law, using logical reasoning and daily life experience to make a comprehensive judgment on the probative force. The collegial panel reviewed the relevant points with reference to the "Guidelines" and found that the credible timestamp evidence submitted by the plaintiff can be mutually verified with the business vouchers formed in the business dealings between the plaintiff and the defendant, such as the "Payment Commitment", electronic invoices, bills of lading, etc., to form an effective chain of evidence. Last October, the Shanghai Maritime Court held a seminar on the impact of blockchain technology applications on maritime justice and service guarantee needs, launched the "Blockchain Evidence Review Guidelines", and published and interpreted the background and main contents of the compilation. (China Shipping Weekly)