What are Negotiable Instruments? Explain its essential characteristics under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. OR What is a Negotiable Instrument? Explain its meaning and essential characteristics. How does the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 classify instruments as payable to order or payable to bearer?

Meaning of Negotiable Instruments: Negotiable Instruments is an instrument (the word instrument means a document) which is freely transferable (by customs of trade) from one person to another by mere delivery or by indorsement and delivery. The property in such an instrument is passed to a bonafide transferee for value. The Act does not define the term ‘Negotiable Instruments’. However, Section 13 of the Act provides for only three kinds of negotiable instruments, namely bills of exchange, promissory notes and cheques, payable either to order or bearer. It is to be noted that Hundies, Treasury Bills, Bearer Debentures, Railway Receipts, Delivery Orders, Bill of Lading etc. are also considered as negotiable instruments either by mercantile custom or usage. Essential Characteristics of Negotiable Instruments 1. It is necessarily in writing. 2. It should be signed. 3. It is freely transferable from one person to another. 4. Holder’s title is free from defects. 5. It can be transferred any number of times till its satisfaction. 6. Every negotiable instrument must contain an unconditional promise or order to pay money. The promise or order to pay must consist of money only. 7. The sum payable, the time of payment, the payee, must be certain. 8. The instrument should be delivered. Mere drawing of instrument does not create liability. OR A negotiable instrument is payable to order when: a) It is expressed to be so payable b) When it is expressed to be payable to a specified person and does not contain words prohibiting its transfer. (i.e. it is transferrable by indorsement and delivery) A negotiable instrument is payable to bearer when: a) When it is expressed to be so payable e.g. pay bearer b) When the only or last indorsement (indorsement means signing of the instrument) on the instrument is an indorsement in blank i.e., the person who possesses it can demand payment.