Commercial Papers (Delaware) Flashcards
Instruments: Note + Party Names
A note is a promise to pay money between TWO PARTIES
Borrower (owes money) = Maker
Person Who Receives Payment = Payee
Instruments: Draft + Party Names
A draft is an order to pay between THREE PARTIES
Person Ordering Payment = Drawer
Person to Make the Payment = Drawee
Person to Receive the Payment = Payee
***Instruments: Draft - Check Requirements
A draft will qualify as a check if: (i) a BANK is the drawee, and (ii) the instrument is payable on DEMAND
Negotiability: Elements
To be negotiable, an instrument must be a WRITTEN and SIGNED, UNCONDITIONAL ORDER TO PAY A FIXED AMOUNT OF MONEY, and:
1) Is payable TO ORDER or bearer ON DEMAND or at a definite time, and
2) States no unauthorized undertaking or instruction by the person promising or order payment
Negotiability: Unconditional Element - Items that Make A Promise or Order Conditional
An instrument is conditional if:
1) It contains an EXPRESS CONDITION to payment, or
2) It states the promise or order is “SUBECT TO” “GOVERNED BY” another record, or
2) The RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS with respect to the promise are stated in ANOTHER RECORD (not just merely referencing another record)
Negotiability: Fixed Amount Element - Principal Amount Due
You MUST be able to see the PRINCIPAL AMOUNT DUE on the face of the document.
Negotiability: Fixed Amount Element - Silent as to Interest + Ways That Do Not Violate Fixed Amount
A silent instrument ASSUMES NO INTEREST.
Interest stated in the following ways would NOT violate the “fixed amount requirement”:
1) Amount of Money (e.g., $20 interest),
2) Fixed or Variable Rate,
3) Reference to Outside Source (e.g., 2% above the prime rate reported in the Wall Street Journal), and
4) Plus Interest
Negotiability: In Money Element - Goods or Services + Words Inconsistent With Figures
The payment CANNOT be in goods and services
Words prevail over inconsistent figures.
Negotiability: No Other Undertaking or Instruction Element + Exceptions
Negotiable instruments are SOLELY for the purpose of paying money and NO OTHER obligation, EXCEPT for the following:
1) Promise to GIVE, MAINTAIN, OR PROTECT COLLATERAL,
2) An authorization or power given to the holder to CONFESS JUDGMENT or to realize on or dispose of collateral (one party agrees to let another party enter a judgment), and
3) WAIVER OF LAW meant to benefit obligor
Negotiability: Payable On Demand Or At A Definite Time Element - Permitted Date Change Matters
The following date change matter’s don’t prevent an instrument from being payable at a definite time:
1) PREPAYMENT of instrument,
2) ACCELERATION of due date,
3) A LATER DEFINITE TIME STATED IN THE INSTRUMENT.
Negotiability: Payable to Order or Bearer Language - To Bearer
An instrument is payable to bearer if it: (i) states that it is “payable to bearer,” (ii) does not name a payee, or (iii) is payable to “cash” or otherwise indicates an unidentified person
Negotiability: Payable to Order or Bearer Language - To Order
An instrument is payable “to order” if it is payable to the order of an IDENTIFIED PERSON or to an identified person or order.
Negotiability: Payable to Order or Bearer Language - Both Order and Bearer Language is Present + Check Exception
If both order and bearer language is on the document, BEARER paper controls
If this is the ONLY element of negotiability missing, the order or bearer language is WAIVED.
Holders: What Is A Holder + How To Become A Holder
A holder is a person in POSSESSION of an instrument with a RIGHT TO ENFORCE IT.
Holder status is: (i) POSSESSION of the negotiable instrument, and (ii) GOOD TITLE, which depend on the words of negotiability used (BEARER = possession alone for good title/ORDER = possession + necessary endorsements for good title).
Holder: Transfer of Instrument - Bearer Instruments
Bearer instruments are negotiated by TRANSFERRING POSSESSION of the instrument.
Holder: Transfer of Instrument - Order Instruments
Order instruments are negotiated by POSSESSION PLUS NECESSARY INDORSEMENTS, meaning a signature on a negotiable instrument by someone other than the maker, drawer, or acceptor, normally on the back
Holder: Transfer of Instrument - Indorsement - Blank v. Special + Bearer Paper
A blank indorsement is a signature that isn’t accompanied by the naming of a specific indorsee (e.g., back of a check)
A special indorsement is accompanied by PAYEE’S SIGNATURE PLUS A DESIGNATION OF A NEW PERSON to whom the instrument is payable
Once this occurs, the paper is turned into BEARER PAPER, regardless if original was order paper.
Holder: Transfer of Instrument - Indorsement - Qualified Indorsement
An indorsement with the words “WITHOUT RECOURSE” is a qualified indorsement and LIMITS LIABILITY imposed on indorsers.
Holder: Transfer of Instrument - Indorsement - Restrictive Indorsement
Any OTHER LANGUAGE added to an indorsement creates a restrictive indorsement, and are GENERALLY INEFFECTIVE to limit transfer
Holder: Transfer of Instrument - Indorsement - Anomalous Indorsements
An anomalous indorsement is an indorsement made by a person who is NOT A HOLDER of the instrument, usually for accommodation (suretyship) purposes, who then BECOMES LIABLE on the instrument.
Holder: Payee Lacking Capacity
Negotiation is EFFECTIVE EVEN IF the payee is a minor, incompetent, or unduly influenced
Holder In Due Course
A HDC takes FREE OF MOST DEFENSES
Holder In Due Course: Due Course
“Due course” requires the holder to take FOR VALUE, IN GOOD FAITH, AND WITHOUT NOTICE.
Holder In Due Course: When HDC Status Is Relevant
This comes into play when the obligor RAISES A DEFENSE to payment.