An authentic act formally drawn up by a competent public officer (e.g. notary, judge, bailiff) in accordance with the provisions provided for by law. The act does not requires any additional administrative formality to become legally binding. Thus, there is no need for a final and binding conviction for example. The act is legally binding until a plea of forgery is raised. The plea of forgery is a legal proceeding by which it is established that the act fraudulently alters the truth.