Chapter III - Parties to Notes, Bills and Cheques
Section 34
Section 34: Acceptance by several drawees not partners
Section 34 separates the acceptance of each drawee where a bill names several drawees who are not partners.
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This article is for general information. Refer to the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
Where there are several drawees of a bill of exchange who are not partners, each of them can accept it for himself, but none of them can accept it for another without his authority.
Key rule and applicability
Each non-partner drawee may accept for themselves. Accepting for another drawee requires that other person’s authority.
Limits and related provisions
One drawee’s acceptance does not automatically bind all the other named drawees. The rule is expressly framed for drawees who are not partners; partnership issues require their applicable separate law.
Hypothetical business example
Hypothetical: a bill names two independent businesses as drawees. One signs an acceptance. The holder must establish authority before claiming that this acceptance also binds the other business.
Practical decision flow
Identify all named drawees and whether the specified non-partner condition applies.
Record who signed each acceptance and in what capacity.
Obtain the authority evidence before attributing one drawee’s acceptance to another.
Practical checklist
Do
- Identify all named drawees and whether the specified non-partner condition applies.
- Record who signed each acceptance and in what capacity.
- Obtain the authority evidence before attributing one drawee’s acceptance to another.
Avoid
- One drawee’s acceptance does not automatically bind all the other named drawees. The rule is expressly framed for drawees who are not partners; partnership issues require their applicable separate law.
Glossary
- Several drawees
- More than one person directed by the bill to pay.
- Authority
- Permission required for one drawee to accept for another.
Frequently asked questions
Does one acceptance bind every named drawee?
Not automatically. Accepting for another requires that person’s authority under this rule.
Can each drawee accept personally?
Yes. Each of the stated non-partner drawees can accept for themselves.
Does this section fully decide partnership authority?
No. Its express setting is several drawees who are not partners.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026