Short notes on the Meaning of Negotiation and Assignment

Easy transferability is one of the important characteristics of a negotiable instrument. An instrument may be transferred:

1. By assignment, or

2. By negotiation.

1. Transfer by assignment:

A negotiable instrument can also be transferred by assignment. Assignment means transfer of ownership by a written document under the provisions of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882.

Example:

A executed a promissory note in favour of B. B sold this note by assignment under a sale deed to C. C sued A to recover the amount. A contended that since C was not a holder in due course, no suit was maintainable. The Court held, although C was not a holder in due course, yet he is a holder within the meaning of Sec. 8 as he is in possession of the note and as an assignee, entitled to recover the amount in his own name. Hence an instrument can be transferred by assignment. But a transferee acquires only those rights which the transferor had at the time of assignment and no more. [Narshing Panda v. N. Narsimha Murthy.]

2. Transfer by negotiation (Sec. 47):

When a note, bill or cheque is transferred to any person, so as to make that person holder of the instrument, the instrument is said to be negotiated.

Mode of negotiation or how negotiation is effected?

(i) Negotiation by delivery (Sec.47) The transfer of a negotiable instrument payable to bearer can be effected by mere delivery.

Example:

A, the holder of a negotiable instrument payable to bearer, delivered it to B’s agent to keep it for B. The instrument has been negotiated.

(ii) Negotiation by endorsements and delivery (Sec. 48). A negotiable instrument, payable to order, is negotiable by the holder, by indorsement and delivery thereof.

Example:

A holds a cheque payable to order. A signs on the back of the cheque and writes ‘Pay B’. Therefore, A delivers the cheque to B. It is negotiation by indorsement and delivery.

Significance or Importance of the Term ‘Delivery’:

The term ‘delivery’ is very important in negotiation: Delivery here means actual or constructive delivery with an intention of transferring property in the instrument. If the instrument is executed but is not delivered, there is no negotiation.

Example:

(a) A person executed a promissory note but died before delivering it to the payee. The promissory note was found in his papers and it was delivered to the indorsee. There is no negotiation and payee cannot recover the amount.

(b) Similarly, when an instrument payable to bearer was accidentally lost and picked up by a passer-by X, the passer-by did not acquire any title. However, if he transfers it, say, to Mr. Y. who takes it for value and in good faith, he (Y) will acquire a good title to the instrument.