NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS

Definition of Holder
As per Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, a holder is a party who is entitled in his own name and has legally obtained the
possession of the negotiable instrument, i.e. bill, note or cheque, from a party who transferred it, by delivery or endorsement, to
recover the amount from the parties liable to meet it.
The party transferring the negotiable instrument should be legally capable. It does not include the someone who finds the lost
instrument payable to bearer and the one who is in wrongful possession of the negotiable instrument.
Definition of Holder in Due Course (HDC)
Holder in Due Course is defined as a holder who acquires the negotiable instrument in good faith for consideration before it
becomes due for payment and without any idea of a defective title of the party who transfers the instrument to him. Therefore, a
holder in due course.
When the instrument is payable to bearer, HDC refers to any person who becomes its possessor for value, before the amount
becomes overdue. On the other hand, when the instrument is payable to order, HDC may mean any person who became
endorsee or payee of the negotiable instrument, before it matures. Further, in both the cases, the holder in both the cases he
must acquire the instrument, without any notice to believe that there is a defect in the title of the person who negotiated it

Key Differences Between Holder and Holder in Due Course

The significant differences between holder and holder in due course are discussed in the following points:
1. A person who legally obtains the negotiable instrument, with his name entitled on it, to receive the payment from the
parties liable, is called the holder of a negotiable instrument. A person who acquires the negotiable instrument bonafide for
some consideration, whose payment is still due, is called holder in due course.
2. A holder can possess negotiable instrument, even without consideration. As opposed to a holder in due course, possess the
negotiable instrument for consideration.
3. A holder cannot sue all the prior parties whereas a holder in due course, has the right to sue all the prior parties for
payment.
4. A holder may or may not have obtained the instrument in good faith. On the other hand, the holder in due course must be
a bonafide possessor of the negotiable instrument.
5. A holder in due course as against a holder enjoys more privileges in many situation like in the case of inchoate
instruments, fictitious bills and so on.
Page | 1

NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS

6. A person can become a holder, before or after the maturity of the negotiable instrument. On the contrary, a person can
become a holder in due course, only before the maturity of the negotiable instrument.

Comparison Chart
BASIS FOR
COMPARIS
ON

HOLDER

HOLDER IN DUE COURSE (HDC)

Meaning

A holder is a person who legally obtains the negotiable

instrument, with his name entitled on it, to receive the
payment from the parties liable.

A holder in due course (HDC) is a person who

acquires the negotiable instrument bonafide for
some consideration, whose payment is still
due.

Considerati
on

Not necessary

Necessary

Right to sue

A holder cannot sue all prior parties.

A holder in due course can sue all prior parties.

Good faith

The instrument may or may not be obtained in good faith.

The instrument must be obtained in good faith.

Privileges

Comparatively less

More

Maturity

A person can become holder, before or after the maturity of

the negotiable instrument.

A person can become holder in due course,

only before the maturity of negotiable
instrument.

Page | 2

NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS

Page | 3