Email admissibility

I was in Court yesterday (part of work) when a Judge refused to admit emails as evidence in a matrimonial action. The reasoning was that there was no proof (even though the emails had gone back and forth, acknowledging a debt and an agreement) that the parties to the action were the parties to the emails.

One of the Attorneys offered to bring his client's computer into Court so the hard drive could be examined but was denied. A fairly substantial dollar amount was involved. The Judge went on to say that he will not accept emails and text messages in Small Claims Court (where, as far as I know, he never sits, so that statement was for effect only). For whatever reason I felt the Judge was posturing and it was his way or the highway - but he held fast.

It's been my experience that emails ARE evidence, and I've seen it in the past. I've advised people here on AMHD that emails are admissible in lower Courts and superior courts.

Anyone have any experience with anything like this? I cannot find any law. The Attorneys were scrambling, but I won't be back in that Courtroom so I'll never know - !