What is the difference between a special endorsement and a restrictive endorsement

The act of a person who is holder of a negotiable instrument in signing his or her name on the back of that instrument, thereby transferring title or ownership. An endorsement may be made if favour of another individual or legal entity, resulting in a transfer of the property to that other individual o legal entity. There are several types of endorsements:

  • Endorsement in blank is the writing of only the endorser´s name on the negotiable instrument without designating another person to whom the endorsement is made, and with the implied understanding that the instrument is payable to the bearer.
  • Collection endorsement is one that restricts payment of the endorsed instrument to purposes of deposit or collection.
  • Conditional endorsement is one that limits time at which the instrument can be paid or further transferred or that requires the occurrence of an event before the instrument is payable.
  • Restrictive endorsement is one that directs a specific payment of the instrument, such as for deposit or collection only, and that precludes any other transfer of it.

Categories:

Types of Endorsements

  1. Blank or General Endorsement
  2. Special or Full Endorsement
  3. Partial Endorsement
  4. Restrictive Endorsement
  5. Conditional or Qualified Endorsement

Endorsement means, the writing of one’s name on the back of the instrument or any paper attached to it with the intention of transferring the rights therein. – Negotiable Instruments Act

Thus, an endorsement is signing a negotiable instrument for the purpose of negotiation.

  • Person who effects an endorsement is called an “endorser”
  • Person to whom the negotiable instrument is transferred by endorsement is called the “endorsed”

Table of Contents

  • 1 Types of Endorsements
  • 2 What is Endorsement?
  • 3 Endorsement Meaning
  • 4 Types of Endorsement
    • 4.1 Blank or General Endorsement
    • 4.2 Special or Full Endorsement
    • 4.3 Partial Endorsement
    • 4.4 Restrictive Endorsement
    • 4.5 Conditional or Qualified Endorsement
      • 4.5.1 Sans recourse
      • 4.5.2 Facultative
      • 4.5.3 Contingent
  • 5 Business Law Notes
  • 6 Business Law Book References

Endorsement Meaning

Signing

  • on the face or back of negotiable instrument; or
  • on a slip of paper annexed to the negotiable instrument

By

  • the holder of negotiable instrument

For the purpose of

  • negotiating such negotiable instrument

Types of Endorsement

5 different types of endorsement are discussed below:

  1. Blank or general endorsement
  2. Special or full endorsement [Sec. 16]
  3. Partial endorsement [Sec. 56]
  4. Restrictive endorsement [Sec. 50]
  5. Conditional or qualified endorsement
    • Sans recourse
    • Facultative
    • Contingent

What is the difference between a special endorsement and a restrictive endorsement
Types of Endorsement

Blank or General Endorsement

It is a type of endorsement when the endorser just signs on the instrument without mentioning the name of the person in whose favour the endorsement is made.

Endorsement in blank specifies no endorsee. It simply consists of the signature of the endorser on the endorsement.

Example: A bill is payable to X. X endorses the bill by simply affixing his signature. This is an endorsement in blank by X. In this case the bill becomes payable to bearer.

There is no difference between a bill or note endorsed in blank and one payable to bearer. They can both be negotiated by delivery.

Special or Full Endorsement

In this type of endorsement contains not only the signature of the endorser but also the name of the person in whose favour the endorsement is made, then it is an endorsement in full.

In Special or Full Endorsement an endorsement, it is only the endorsee who can transfer the instrument.

Example: A is the holder of a bill endorsed by B in the blank. A writes over B’s signature the words “Pay to C or order.” A is not liable as an endorser but the writing operates as an endorsement in full from B to C.

Partial Endorsement

A partial endorsement is a type of endorsement in which purports to transfer to the endorsee a part only of the amount payable on the instrument. Such an endorsement does not operate as a negotiation of the instrument.

Example: A is the holder of a bill for Rs.1000. He endorses it “pay to B or order Rs.500.” This is a partial endorsement and invalid for the purpose of negotiation.

Restrictive Endorsement

A restrictive endorsement is one which either by express words restricts or prohibits the further negotiation of a bill or which expresses that it is not a complete and unconditional transfer of the instrument but is a mere authority to the endorsee to deal with bill as directed by such endorsement.

Example: Pay C, Pay C for my use, Pay C for the account of B are instances of restrictive endorsement. The endorsee under a restrictive endorsement acquires all the rights of the endorser except the right of negotiation.

Conditional or Qualified Endorsement

A type of endorsement where the endorsee limits or negatives his liability by putting some condition in the instrument is called a conditional endorsement.

A conditional endorsement, unlike the restrictive endorsement, does not affect the negotiability of the instrument. It is also sometimes called a qualified endorsement.

Sans recourse

Endorser relieves himself from the liability to all subsequent endorsees.

Facultative

The endorser waives any of his rights

Contingent

The endorser makes his liability dependent upon happening of some event.

Example: The holder of bill endorse it- ‘pay A or order on his marrying B’. In such case, the endorser will not be liable until A marry to B.


Business Law Notes

(Click on Topic to Read)

  • What is Business Law?
  • Indian Contract Act 1872
  • Types of Contract
  • Offer: Types, Elements
  • Elements of a Valid Contract
  • Performance of a Contract
  • Discharge of Contract
  • Sales of Goods Act 1930
  • Goods & Price: Contract of Sale
  • Conditions and Warranties

  • Doctrine of Caveat Emptor
  • Transfer of Property
  • Rights of Unpaid Seller
  • Negotiable Instruments Act 1881
  • Types of Negotiable Instruments
  • Types of Endorsement
  • Promissory Note
  • Bill of Exchange
  • Cheque
  • Crossing of Cheque


Business Law Book References

  1. Goel, P. K. (2006). “Business Law for Managers” Wiley
  2. Sheth, T. (2017). “Business Law” (2ed.) Pearson.
  3. Kuchhal. M.C. & Prakash. “Business Legislation for Management” (2ed.) Vikas Publishing.

FAQ

Indian Contract Act 1872

The Indian Contract Act is divisible into two parts.
The first part (Section 1-75) deals with the general principles of the law of contract and therefore applies to all contracts irrespective of their nature.

The second part (Sections 124-238) deals with certain special kinds of contracts, namely contracts of Indemnity and Guarantee, Bailment, Pledge, and Agency.

Also Read:
1. Essential Elements of a Valid Contract


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What is a restrictive endorsement?

Primary tabs. A restrictive endorsement is a conditional guaranty of a transfer of a negotiable instrument. That is, an endorsement that takes effect only on the occurrence or non-occurrence of another act or event.

What is a special endorsement?

(a) If an endorsement is made by the holder of an instrument, whether payable to an identified person or payable to bearer, and the endorsement identifies a person to whom it makes the instrument payable, it is a "special endorsement." When specially endorsed, an instrument becomes payable to the identified person and ...

What is the difference between a blank restrictive and a special endorsement of a check?

A blank endorsement is simply the name of the person to whom the check is made out. A special endorsement transfers the check to someone else, as in "pay to the order of." A restrictive endorsement restricts what can be done with the check, as in "for deposit only."

What is a special endorsement example?

A “special” endorsement allows the payee to make the check payable to another person. For example, if Ms. Smith wants to make the check payable to Mr. Smith, she would write “Pay to the order of Mr.