U.C.C. § 3-308 (Am. L. Inst. & Unif. L. Comm'n 1990) — Proof of Signatures and Status as Holder in Due Course — Reading Room

U.C.C. § 3-308 — Proof of Signatures and Status as Holder in Due Course

Editorial summary. Section 3-308 supplies evidentiary presumptions in favor of the person entitled to enforce an instrument. Signatures are presumed authentic and authorized unless specifically denied in the pleadings; upon proof of the signatures, production of the instrument entitles the holder to payment unless a defense or claim in recoupment is proved.

Citation: U.C.C. § 3-308 (Am. L. Inst. & Unif. L. Comm'n 1990)Jurisdiction: United StatesEffective: 1990-08-01

Governing Rule

Codified text.

Editorial note. Section 3-308(a) presumes the authenticity of signatures. Section 3-308(b) shifts the burden of proof: upon establishing signatures and possession, the plaintiff is entitled to payment unless the defendant proves a defense or claim in recoupment; if the defendant proves a defense, the plaintiff must establish holder-in-due-course status to overcome it.

Judicial Interpretation

Codified text.

Editorial note. Section 3-308 is the burden-shifting engine of note-enforcement litigation. It structures the trial of any action on an instrument.

Cross References

Codified text.

Editorial note. See U.C.C. §§ 3-301; 3-302; 3-305.

Revision history

1990-08-01 — Promulgated with Revised Article 3.

Canonical source: https://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/3/3-308