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Section 34: Acceptance by several drawees not partners

Negotiable Instruments Act • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 1881
Section 33 All 148 Sections of Negotiable Instruments Act Section 35

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 34

Section 34 regulates acceptance where a bill is addressed to several drawees who are not partners, enacting that each drawee may accept for themselves, but none can bind another without authority.

  • Non-Partner Drawees: Where drawees are joint but not partners, each operates independently; one cannot accept on behalf of all.
  • Partial Acceptance: Acceptance by one drawee binds only that signatory, leaving the bill dishonoured as against non-accepting drawees.
  • Partnership Exception: Where drawees are partners, acceptance by one partner in the usual course of firm business binds the entire firm.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Jenkins v. Morris (1847): Established that joint drawees who are not commercial partners must all execute acceptance to render the entire group liable.
  • State Bank of Saurashtra v. Chitranjan Rangnath Raja: Examined joint liability and partner authority in commercial banking instruments.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

When a bill is drawn on multiple corporate entities or individuals, ensure signatures of all drawees are obtained. If one refuses, immediately treat the bill as dishonoured by non-acceptance under Section 91 and issue notices.

Section 33 All 148 Sections of Negotiable Instruments Act Section 35