A holder of a negotiable instrument is the person in possession of a document such as a check, draft, or promissory note that represents a legally enforceable agreement to pay a specific sum of money. The holder is typically the person entitled to receive payment, either by presenting the instrument to the issuer or by negotiating it to a third party.
The concept of negotiability is an important feature of negotiable instruments, as it allows the holder to transfer ownership of the instrument to another person without the need for the issuer's consent. This means that the holder can sell, assign, or endorse the instrument to another party, who then becomes the holder. For example, if you hold a check made out to you, you can endorse it to someone else by signing it on the back and transferring it to them.
Negotiable instruments are governed by a set of rules known as the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which is a model law that has been adopted in some form by most states in the United States. The UCC sets forth the rights and duties of the holder, the issuer, and any intermediate parties involved in the negotiation of the instrument.
One of the main duties of the holder is to take reasonable steps to protect the instrument from loss, theft, or damage. This means that the holder must keep the instrument in a safe place and not allow anyone else to have possession of it unless they have a valid reason for doing so. If the holder fails to fulfill this duty, they may be liable for any losses that result from the instrument being lost or stolen.
The holder also has the right to demand payment from the issuer, either by presenting the instrument to the issuer or by suing them in court. If the issuer refuses to pay or is unable to pay, the holder may be able to recover damages from the issuer or any intermediate parties who were involved in the negotiation of the instrument.
In summary, a holder of a negotiable instrument is the person in possession of the instrument and entitled to receive payment. The holder has the right to demand payment from the issuer and may transfer ownership of the instrument to another party through negotiation. The holder also has a duty to protect the instrument from loss, theft, or damage.