I. FORM AND INTERPRETATION
Section 1. Form of negotiable instruments. – An instrument to be negotiable must conform to the following requirements: (Always step 1 because it determines what law is applicable) (WUPPA)
(a) It must be in writing and signed by the maker or drawer;
(b) Must contain an unconditional promise or order to pay a sum certain in money;
(c) Must be payable on demand, or at a fixed or determinable future time;
(d) Must be payable to order or to bearer; and
(e) Where the instrument is addressed to a drawee, he must be named or otherwise indicated therein with reasonable certainty.
Sec. 2. What constitutes certainty as to sum. – The sum payable is a sum certain within the meaning of this Act, although it is to be paid:
(a) with interest; or
(b) by stated installments; or
(c) by stated installments, with a provision that, upon default in payment of any installment or of interest, the whole shall become due; or
(d) with exchange, whether at a fixed rate or at the current rate; or
(e) with costs of collection or an attorney’s fee, in case payment shall not be made at maturity.
Sec. 3. When promise is unconditional. – An unqualified order or promise to pay is unconditional within the meaning of this Act though coupled with:
(a) An indication of a particular fund out of which reimbursement is to be made or a particular account to be debited with the amount; or
(b) A statement of the transaction which gives rise to the instrument.
But an order or promise to pay out of a particular fund is not unconditional.
Sec. 4. Determinable future time; what constitutes. – An instrument is payable at a determinable future time, within the meaning of this Act, which is expressed to be payable:
(a) At a fixed period after date or sight; or
(b) On or before a fixed or determinable future time specified therein; or
(c) On or at a fixed period after the occurrence of a specified event which is certain to happen, though the time of happening be uncertain.
An instrument payable upon a contingency is not negotiable, and the happening of the event does not cure the defect.
Sec. 5. Additional provisions not affecting negotiability. – An instrument which contains an order or promise to do any act in addition to the payment of money is not negotiable. But the negotiable character of an instrument otherwise negotiable is not affected by a provision which:
(a) authorizes the sale of collateral securities in case the instrument be not paid at maturity; or
(b) authorizes a confession of judgment if the instrument be not paid at maturity; or
(c) waives the benefit of any law intended for the advantage or protection of the obligor; or
(d) gives the holder an election to require something to be done in lieu of payment of money.
But nothing in this section shall validate any provision or stipulation otherwise illegal.
Sec. 6. Omissions; seal; particular money. – The validity and negotiable character of an instrument are not affected by the fact that:
(a) it is not dated; or
(b) does not specify the value given, or that any value had been given therefor; or
(c) does not specify the place where it is drawn or the place where it is payable; or
(d) bears a seal; or
(e) designates a particular kind of current money in which payment is to be made.
But nothing in this section shall alter or repeal any statute requiring in certain cases the nature of the consideration to be stated in the instrument.
Sec. 7. When payable on demand. – An instrument is payable on
demand:
(a) When it is so expressed to be payable on demand, or at sight, or on presentation; or
(b) In which no time for payment is expressed.
Where an instrument is issued, accepted, or indorsed when overdue, it is, as regards the person so issuing, accepting, or indorsing it, payable on demand.
Sec. 8. When payable to order. – The instrument is payable to order where it is drawn payable to the order of a specified person or to him or his order. It may be drawn payable to the order of:
(a) A payee who is not maker, drawer, or drawee; or
(b) The drawer or maker; or
(c) The drawee; or
(d) Two or more payees jointly; or
(e) One or some of several payees; or
(f) The holder of an office for the time being.
Where the instrument is payable to order, the payee must be named or otherwise indicated therein with reasonable certainty.
Sec. 9. When payable to bearer. – The instrument is payable to
bearer:
(a) When it is expressed to be so payable; or
(b) When it is payable to a person named therein or bearer; or
(c) When it is payable to the order of a fictitious or non-existing person, and such fact was known to the person making it so payable; or
(d) When the name of the payee does not purport to be the name of any
person; or
(e) When the only or last indorsement is an indorsement in blank.
Sec. 10. Terms, when sufficient. – The instrument need not follow the language of this Act, but any terms are sufficient which clearly indicate an intention to conform to the requirements hereof.
Sec. 11. Date, presumption as to. – Where the instrument or an acceptance or any indorsement thereon is dated, such date is deemed prima facie to be the true date of the making, drawing, acceptance, or indorsement, as the case may be. (MAID)
Sec. 12. Ante-dated and post-dated. – The instrument is not invalid for the reason only that it is ante-dated or post-dated, provided this is not done for an illegal or fraudulent purpose. The person to whom an instrument so dated is delivered acquires the title thereto as of the date of delivery.
Sec. 13. When date may be inserted. – Where an instrument expressed to be payable at a fixed period after date is issued undated, or where the acceptance of an instrument payable at a fixed period after sight is undated, any holder may insert therein the true date of issue or acceptance, and the instrument shall be payable accordingly. The insertion of a wrong date does not avoid the instrument in the hands of a subsequent holder in due course; but as to him, the date so inserted is to be regarded as the true date.
Sec. 14. Blanks; when may be filled. – Where the instrument is wanting in any material particular, the person in possession thereof has a prima facie authority to complete it by filling up the blanks therein. And a signature on a blank paper delivered by the person making the signature in order that the paper may be converted into a negotiable instrument operates as a prima facie authority to fill it up as such for any amount. In order, however, that any such instrument when completed may be enforced against any person who became a party thereto prior to its completion, it must be filled up strictly in accordance with the authority given and within a reasonable time. But if any such instrument, after completion, is negotiated to a holder in due course, it is valid and effectual for all purposes in his hands, and he may enforce it as if it had been filled up strictly in accordance with the authority given and within a reasonable time.
Sec. 15. Incomplete instrument not delivered. – Where an incomplete instrument has not been delivered, it will not, if completed and negotiated without authority, be a valid contract in the hands of any holder, as against any person whose signature was placed thereon before delivery.
Sec. 16. Delivery; when effectual; when presumed. – Every contract on a negotiable instrument is incomplete and revocable until delivery of the instrument for the purpose of giving effect thereto. As between immediate parties and as regards a remote party other than a holder in due course, the delivery, in order to be effectual, must be made either by or under the authority of the party making, drawing, accepting, or indorsing, as the case may be; and, in such case, the delivery may be shown to have been conditional, or for a special purpose only, and not for the purpose of transferring the property in the instrument. But where the instrument is in the hands of a holder in due course, a valid delivery thereof by all parties prior to him so as to make them liable to him is conclusively presumed. And where the instrument is no longer in the possession of a party whose signature appears thereon, a valid and intentional delivery by him is presumed until the contrary is proved.
Sec. 17. Construction where instrument is ambiguous. – Where the language of the instrument is ambiguous or there are omissions therein, the following rules of construction apply:
(a) Where the sum payable is expressed in words and also in figures and there is a discrepancy between the two, the sum denoted by the words is the sum payable; but if the words are ambiguous or uncertain, reference may be had to the figures to fix the amount;
(b) Where the instrument provides for the payment of interest, without specifying the date from which interest is to run, the interest runs from the date of the instrument, and if the instrument is undated, from the issue thereof;
(c) Where the instrument is not dated, it will be considered to be dated as of the time it was issued;
(d) Where there is a conflict between the written and printed provisions of the instrument, the written provisions prevail;
(e) Where the instrument is so ambiguous that there is doubt whether it is a bill or note, the holder may treat it as either at his election;
(f) Where a signature is so placed upon the instrument that it is not clear in what capacity the person making the same intended to sign, he is to be deemed an indorser;
(g) Where an instrument containing the word “I promise to pay” is signed by two or more persons, they are deemed to be jointly and severally liable thereon.
Sec. 18. Liability of person signing in trade or assumed name. – No person is liable on the instrument whose signature does not appear thereon, except as herein otherwise expressly provided. But one who signs in a trade or assumed name will be liable to the same extent as if he had signed in his own name.
Sec. 19. Signature by agent; authority; how shown. – The signature of any party may be made by a duly authorized agent. No particular form of appointment is necessary for this purpose; and the authority of the agent may be established as in other cases of agency.
Sec. 20. Liability of person signing as agent, and so forth. – Where the instrument contains or a person adds to his signature words indicating that he signs for or on behalf of a principal or in a representative capacity, he is not liable on the instrument if he was duly authorized; but the mere addition of words describing him as an agent, or as filling a representative character, without disclosing his principal, does not exempt him from personal liability.
Sec. 21. Signature by procuration; effect of. – A signature by “procuration” operates as notice that the agent has but a limited authority to sign, and the principal is bound only in case the agent in so signing acted within the actual limits of his authority.
Sec. 22. Effect of indorsement by infant or corporation.- The indorsement or assignment of the instrument by a corporation or by an infant passes the property therein, notwithstanding that from want of capacity, the corporation or infant may incur no liability thereon.
Sec. 23. Forged signature; effect of. – When a signature is forged or made without the authority of the person whose signature it purports to be, it is wholly inoperative, and no right to retain the instrument, or to give a discharge therefor, or to enforce payment thereof against any party thereto, can be acquired through or under such signature, unless the party against whom it is sought to enforce such right is precluded from setting up the forgery or want of authority.
Sec. 24. Presumption of consideration. - Every negotiable instrument is deemed prima facie to have been issued for a valuable consideration; and every person whose signature appears thereon to have become a party thereto for value.
Sec. 30. What constitutes negotiation. - An instrument is negotiated when it is transferred from one person to another in such manner as to constitute the transferee the holder thereof. If payable to bearer, it is negotiated by delivery; if payable to order, it is negotiated by the indorsement of the holder and completed by delivery.
Sec. 31. Indorsement; how made. - The indorsement must be written on the instrument itself or upon a paper attached thereto. The signature of the indorser, without additional words, is a sufficient indorsement.
Sec. 33. Kinds of indorsement. - An indorsement may be either special or in blank; and it may also be either restrictive or qualified or conditional.
Sec. 34. Special indorsement; indorsement in blank. - A special indorsement specifies the person to whom, or to whose order, the instrument is to be payable, and the indorsement of such indorsee is necessary to the further negotiation of the instrument. An indorsement in blank specifies no indorsee, and an instrument so indorsed is payable to bearer, and may be negotiated by delivery.
Sec. 49. Transfer without indorsement; effect of. - Where the holder of an instrument payable to his order transfers it for value without indorsing it, the transfer vests in the transferee such title as the transferor had therein, and the transferee acquires in addition, the right to have the indorsement of the transferor. But for the purpose of determining whether the transferee is a holder in due course, the negotiation takes effect as of the time when the indorsement is actually made.
Sec. 74. Instrument must be exhibited. - The instrument must be exhibited to the person from whom payment is demanded, and when it is paid, must be delivered up to the party paying it.
Sec. 119. Instrument; how discharged. - A negotiable instrument is discharged:
Sec. 127. Bill not an assignment of funds in hands of drawee. - A bill of itself does not operate as an assignment of the funds in the hands of the drawee available for the payment thereof, and the drawee is not liable on the bill unless and until he accepts the same.
Sec. 137. Liability of drawee returning or destroying bill. - Where a drawee to whom a bill is delivered for acceptance destroys the same, or refuses within twenty-four hours after such delivery or within such other period as the holder may allow, to return the bill accepted or non-accepted to the holder, he will be deemed to have accepted the same.
Sec. 143. When presentment for acceptance must be made. - Presentment for acceptance must be made:
Sec. 158. Protest before maturity where acceptor insolvent. - Where the acceptor has been adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or has made an assignment for the benefit of creditors before the bill matures, the holder may cause the bill to be protested for better security against the drawer and indorsers.
Sec. 184. Promissory note, defined. - A negotiable promissory note within the meaning of this Act is an unconditional promise in writing made by one person to another, signed by the maker, engaging to pay on demand, or at a fixed or determinable future time, a sum certain in money to order or to bearer. Where a note is drawn to the maker's own order, it is not complete until indorsed by him.
Sec. 185. Check, defined. - A check is a bill of exchange drawn on a bank payable on demand. Except as herein otherwise provided, the provisions of this Act applicable to a bill of exchange payable on demand apply to a check.
Sec. 186. Within what time a check must be presented. - A check must be presented for payment within a reasonable time after its issue or the drawer will be discharged from liability thereon to the extent of the loss caused by the delay.
Sec. 187. Certification of check; effect of. - Where a check is certified by the bank on which it is drawn, the certification is equivalent to an acceptance.
Sec. 24. Presumption of consideration. - Every negotiable instrument is deemed prima facie to have been issued for a valuable consideration; and every person whose signature appears thereon to have become a party thereto for value.
Sec. 30. What constitutes negotiation. - An instrument is negotiated when it is transferred from one person to another in such manner as to constitute the transferee the holder thereof. If payable to bearer, it is negotiated by delivery; if payable to order, it is negotiated by the indorsement of the holder and completed by delivery.
Sec. 31. Indorsement; how made. - The indorsement must be written on the instrument itself or upon a paper attached thereto. The signature of the indorser, without additional words, is a sufficient indorsement.
Sec. 33. Kinds of indorsement. - An indorsement may be either special or in blank; and it may also be either restrictive or qualified or conditional.
Sec. 34. Special indorsement; indorsement in blank. - A special indorsement specifies the person to whom, or to whose order, the instrument is to be payable, and the indorsement of such indorsee is necessary to the further negotiation of the instrument. An indorsement in blank specifies no indorsee, and an instrument so indorsed is payable to bearer, and may be negotiated by delivery.
Sec. 49. Transfer without indorsement; effect of. - Where the holder of an instrument payable to his order transfers it for value without indorsing it, the transfer vests in the transferee such title as the transferor had therein, and the transferee acquires in addition, the right to have the indorsement of the transferor. But for the purpose of determining whether the transferee is a holder in due course, the negotiation takes effect as of the time when the indorsement is actually made.
Sec. 52. What constitutes a holder in due course. - A holder in due course is a holder who has taken the instrument under the following conditions:
(a) That it is complete and regular upon its face;
(b) That he became the holder of it before it was overdue, and without notice that it has been previously dishonored, if such was the fact;
(c) That he took it in good faith and for value;
(d) That at the time it was negotiated to him, he had no notice of any infirmity in the instrument or defect in the title of the person negotiating it.
(b) That he became the holder of it before it was overdue, and without notice that it has been previously dishonored, if such was the fact;
(c) That he took it in good faith and for value;
(d) That at the time it was negotiated to him, he had no notice of any infirmity in the instrument or defect in the title of the person negotiating it.
Sec. 55. When title defective. - The title of a person who negotiates an instrument is defective within the meaning of this Act when he obtained the instrument, or any signature thereto, by fraud, duress, or force and fear, or other unlawful means, or for an illegal consideration, or when he negotiates it in breach of faith, or under such circumstances as amount to a fraud.
Sec. 57. Rights of holder in due course. - A holder in due course holds the instrument free from any defect of title of prior parties, and free from defenses available to prior parties among themselves, and may enforce payment of the instrument for the full amount thereof against all parties liable thereon.
VI. PRESENTATION FOR PAYMENT
Sec. 70. Effect of want of demand on principal debtor. - Presentment for payment is not necessary in order to charge the person primarily liable on the instrument; but if the instrument is, by its terms, payable at a special place, and he is able and willing to pay it there at maturity, such ability and willingness are equivalent to a tender of payment upon his part. But except as herein otherwise provided, presentment for payment is necessary in order to charge the drawer and indorsers.
Sec. 71. Presentment where instrument is not payable on demand and where payable on demand. - Where the instrument is not payable on demand, presentment must be made on the day it falls due. Where it is payable on demand, presentment must be made within a reasonable time after its issue, except that in the case of a bill of exchange, presentment for payment will be sufficient if made within a reasonable time after the last negotiation thereof.
Sec. 71. Presentment where instrument is not payable on demand and where payable on demand. - Where the instrument is not payable on demand, presentment must be made on the day it falls due. Where it is payable on demand, presentment must be made within a reasonable time after its issue, except that in the case of a bill of exchange, presentment for payment will be sufficient if made within a reasonable time after the last negotiation thereof.
Sec. 74. Instrument must be exhibited. - The instrument must be exhibited to the person from whom payment is demanded, and when it is paid, must be delivered up to the party paying it.
Sec. 83. When instrument dishonored by non-payment. - The instrument is dishonored by non-payment when:
(a) It is duly presented for payment and payment is refused or cannot be obtained; or
(b) Presentment is excused and the instrument is overdue and unpaid.
(b) Presentment is excused and the instrument is overdue and unpaid.
Sec. 84. Liability of person secondarily liable, when instrument dishonored. - Subject to the provisions of this Act, when the instrument is dishonored by non-payment, an immediate right of recourse to all parties secondarily liable thereon accrues to the holder.
VII. NOTICE OF DISHONOR
Sec. 89. To whom notice of dishonor must be given. - Except as herein otherwise provided, when a negotiable instrument has been dishonored by non-acceptance or non-payment, notice of dishonor must be given to the drawer and to each indorser, and any drawer or indorser to whom such notice is not given is discharged.
VIII. DISCHARGE OF NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS
Sec. 119. Instrument; how discharged. - A negotiable instrument is discharged:
(a) By payment in due course by or on behalf of the principal debtor;
(b) By payment in due course by the party accommodated, where the instrument is made or accepted for his accommodation;
(c) By the intentional cancellation thereof by the holder;
(d) By any other act which will discharge a simple contract for the payment of money;
(e) When the principal debtor becomes the holder of the instrument at or after maturity in his own right.
(b) By payment in due course by the party accommodated, where the instrument is made or accepted for his accommodation;
(c) By the intentional cancellation thereof by the holder;
(d) By any other act which will discharge a simple contract for the payment of money;
(e) When the principal debtor becomes the holder of the instrument at or after maturity in his own right.
Sec. 120. When persons secondarily liable on the instrument are discharged. - A person secondarily liable on the instrument is discharged:
(a) By any act which discharges the instrument;
(b) By the intentional cancellation of his signature by the holder;
(c) By the discharge of a prior party;
(d) By a valid tender or payment made by a prior party;
(e) By a release of the principal debtor unless the holder's right of recourse against the party secondarily liable is expressly reserved;
(f) By any agreement binding upon the holder to extend the time of payment or to postpone the holder's right to enforce the instrument unless made with the assent of the party secondarily liable or unless the right of recourse against such party is expressly reserved.
(b) By the intentional cancellation of his signature by the holder;
(c) By the discharge of a prior party;
(d) By a valid tender or payment made by a prior party;
(e) By a release of the principal debtor unless the holder's right of recourse against the party secondarily liable is expressly reserved;
(f) By any agreement binding upon the holder to extend the time of payment or to postpone the holder's right to enforce the instrument unless made with the assent of the party secondarily liable or unless the right of recourse against such party is expressly reserved.
Sec. 121. Right of party who discharges instrument. - Where the instrument is paid by a party secondarily liable thereon, it is not discharged; but the party so paying it is remitted to his former rights as regard all prior parties, and he may strike out his own and all subsequent indorsements and against negotiate the instrument, except:
(a) Where it is payable to the order of a third person and has been paid by the drawer; and
(b) Where it was made or accepted for accommodation and has been paid by the party accommodated.
(b) Where it was made or accepted for accommodation and has been paid by the party accommodated.
X. ACCEPTANCE
Sec. 132. Acceptance; how made, by and so forth. - The acceptance of a bill is the signification by the drawee of his assent to the order of the drawer. The acceptance must be in writing and signed by the drawee. It must not express that the drawee will perform his promise by any other means than the payment of money.
XI. PRESENTMENT FOR ACCEPTANCE
Sec. 143. When presentment for acceptance must be made. - Presentment for acceptance must be made:
(a) Where the bill is payable after sight, or in any other case, where presentment for acceptance is necessary in order to fix the maturity of the instrument; or
(b) Where the bill expressly stipulates that it shall be presented for acceptance; or
(c) Where the bill is drawn payable elsewhere than at the residence or place of business of the drawee.
(b) Where the bill expressly stipulates that it shall be presented for acceptance; or
(c) Where the bill is drawn payable elsewhere than at the residence or place of business of the drawee.
In no other case is presentment for acceptance necessary in order to render any party to the bill liable.
Sec. 184. Promissory note, defined. - A negotiable promissory note within the meaning of this Act is an unconditional promise in writing made by one person to another, signed by the maker, engaging to pay on demand, or at a fixed or determinable future time, a sum certain in money to order or to bearer. Where a note is drawn to the maker's own order, it is not complete until indorsed by him.
Sec. 185. Check, defined. - A check is a bill of exchange drawn on a bank payable on demand. Except as herein otherwise provided, the provisions of this Act applicable to a bill of exchange payable on demand apply to a check.
Sec. 186. Within what time a check must be presented. - A check must be presented for payment within a reasonable time after its issue or the drawer will be discharged from liability thereon to the extent of the loss caused by the delay.
Sec. 187. Certification of check; effect of. - Where a check is certified by the bank on which it is drawn, the certification is equivalent to an acceptance.
Sec. 191. Definition and meaning of terms. - In this Act, unless the contract otherwise requires:
"Acceptance" means an acceptance completed by delivery or notification;
"Action" includes counterclaim and set-off;
"Bank" includes any person or association of persons carrying on the business of banking, whether incorporated or not;
"Bearer" means the person in possession of a bill or note which is payable to bearer;
"Bill" means bill of exchange, and "note" means negotiable promissory note;
"Delivery" means transfer of possession, actual or constructive, from one person to another;
"Holder" means the payee or indorsee of a bill or note who is in possession of it, or the bearer thereof;
"Indorsement" means an indorsement completed by delivery;
"Instrument" means negotiable instrument;
"Issue" means the first delivery of the instrument, complete in form, to a person who takes it as a holder;
"Person" includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not;
"Value" means valuable consideration;
"Written" includes printed, and "writing" includes print.
"Action" includes counterclaim and set-off;
"Bank" includes any person or association of persons carrying on the business of banking, whether incorporated or not;
"Bearer" means the person in possession of a bill or note which is payable to bearer;
"Bill" means bill of exchange, and "note" means negotiable promissory note;
"Delivery" means transfer of possession, actual or constructive, from one person to another;
"Holder" means the payee or indorsee of a bill or note who is in possession of it, or the bearer thereof;
"Indorsement" means an indorsement completed by delivery;
"Instrument" means negotiable instrument;
"Issue" means the first delivery of the instrument, complete in form, to a person who takes it as a holder;
"Person" includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not;
"Value" means valuable consideration;
"Written" includes printed, and "writing" includes print.
Sec. 192. Persons primarily liable on instrument. - The person "primarily" liable on an instrument is the person who, by the terms of the instrument, is absolutely required to pay the same. All other parties are "secondarily" liable.