18-00306 02/27/2019 Law on Negotiable Instruments Quiz #7
Concept of presentment It is the production of a bill of exchange to the drawee or acceptor
for payment for payment, or of a promissory note to the party liable for payment of the same. 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 in. [Sec. 74] Necessity of presentment for payment 1) As against party Presentment for payment is not necessary to charge party primarily liable primarily liable. 2) As against persons Presentment for payment is necessary to charge the drawer secondarily liable and indorsers. Exceptions, i.e drawers and indorsers are liable even without presentment for payment. a) Drawer – When he has no right to expect or require that the drawee or acceptor will pay the instrument. [Sec. 79] b) Indorser – Where the instrument was made or accepted for his accommodation and he has no reason to expect that the instrument will be paid if presented. [Sec. 80] c) When presentment is dispensed with: i. When it cannot be made after the exercise of reasonable diligence. ii. When the drawee is a fictitious person. iii. By waiver of presentment, express or implied. [Sec. 82] iv. When a bill is dishonored by non-acceptance. [Sec. 151] What constitute sufficient presentment 1) By whom By the holder, or some person authorized to receive presented payment in his behalf. 2) When presented Presentment for payment must be made on the date fixed without race [Sec. 85], unless delay in presentment for payment is excused when it is caused by circumstances beyond the control of the holder, and not imputed to his default, misconduct or negligence. When the cause of delay ceases to operate, presentment for payment must be made with reasonable diligence. [Sec. 81] i. Time of presentment Presentment for payment must be made at a reasonable hour on a business day. If payable at a bank, presentment for payment must be made during banking 2 | MLQU
hours, unless the person to make payment
has no funds there to meet it at any time during the day, in which case presentment at any hour before the bank is closed on that day is sufficient. [Sec. 75] ii. Date of presentment If instrument is payable on demand [Sec. 71] Promissory note – Presentment for payment must be made within a reasonable time after issuance. Bill of exchange – Presentment for payment must be made within a reasonable time after the last negotiation. If day falls on a Saturday, the holder has the option to present instrument – (a) on the succeeding business day, or (b) before 12:00 noon on that Saturday when that entire day is not a holiday. [Sec. 8] If instrument is not payable on demand, i.e., payable at a fixed or determinable future time – presentment for payment must be on the day it falls due. [Sec. 71] If it falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, presentment must be made on the succeeding business day. [Sec.85] iii. Computation of time of maturity Where the instrument is payable at a fixed period after date, after sight, or after the happening of a specified event, the time or payment is determined by excluding the day from which the time is to run, and by including the date of payment. [Sec. 86] 3) Where presented Presentation is made at the proper place: a) If a place of payment is specified in the instrument and it is there presented. b) If no place is specified, but the address of the person to make payment is given in the instrument, and it is there presented. c) In the absence of the first two, and the instrument is presented at the usual place of business or residence of the person to make payment. 3 | MLQU
d) In any other case if presented to the person to make
payment wherever he can be found, or if presented at his last known place of business or residence. 4) To whom presented To a person primarily liable on the instrument, or if he is absent or inaccessible, to any person found at the place where presentment is made. [Sec. 72] subject the ff. rules; If principal debtor is dead – If no place of payment is specified, to his personal representative, if there is one, and if with the exercise of reasonable diligence, he can be found. [Sec.76] If the principal debtors are partners – If no place of payment is specified, to any one of the partners, even if there has been a dissolution of the firm. [Sec. 77] If principal debtors are joint debtors – If no place of payment is specified, to all of them [Sec. 78] unless one is authorized by the others.