rerackit,
if the captains writes in the tech log or not...it's not certified. The certification only occurs when the engineer signs the CRS. Whats the difference (legally) if the captain makes the entry or you making the entry but starting it with "capt verbal report....". At the end of the day it is up to the Lic engineer to satisfy himself that the system is suitable for upgrade and then certify it. The crew are carrying out a test for you and you have to believe them.
For the sake of discussion, lets say you ask a pilot to make a stand/app/ldg and he forgets. So as not to 'lose face' on return he writes up that it was c/out satis. He still signs for nothing. YOU do the upgrade. So if you are not satisfied after a repoted autoland.....don't upgrade it. If you want to leave the call for autoland there for another couple of flights....leave it. There are a few (just a few) pilots in my airline I would not trust to do this test. Sounds weird but I'm sure you'd feel the same way if you met them.
I agree with all you say multi-x (excellent point on ILS protection!!) except the bit about 'court'. I think legally it will not make a difference how the report was received, once the court was satisfied that the report was received. There should be no reason to accuse an LAME of lieing when it is standard practice to operate this way in their airline. In a court situation I believe they would be trying to establish was there reasonable grounds to certify an autopilot system in a particular case. If rerackit uses his normal procedures then this would be evident very quickly.
Rarekit....would you get pressure from mgmt if you did not upgrade at first opportunity?