Negotiable Instruments Act Section 76 — When presentment unnecessary
CHAPTER IV OF NEGOTIATION
General
Summary
There are certain situations where a bill or note does not have to be shown for payment, and it is considered dishonoured on its due date. This applies if the person who should pay blocks the presentation, closes their business during working hours, or cannot be found after a reasonable search. It also applies if that person has agreed to pay even without presentation, or if they make a partial payment or promise to pay after the due date while knowing the instrument was not presented. Finally, the drawer cannot require presentation if they would not have suffered any loss from it not being presented.
Official Text
No presentment for payment is necessary, and the instrument is dishonoured at the due date for presentment, in any of the following cases:—
(a) if the maker, drawee or acceptor intentionally prevents the presentment of the instrument, or, if the instrument being payable at his place of business, he closes such place on a business day during the usual business hours, or, if the instrument being payable at some other specified place, neither he nor any person authorized to pay it attends at such place during the usual business hours, or, if the instrument not being payable at any specified place, he cannot after due search be found;
(b) as against any party sought to be charged therewith, if he has engaged to pay notwithstanding non-presentment;
(c) as against any party if, after maturity, with knowledge that the instrument has not been presented— he makes a part payment on account of the amount due on the instrument, or promises to pay the amount due thereon in whole or in part, or otherwise waives his right to take advantage of any default in presentment for payment;
(d) as against the drawer, if the drawer could not suffer damage from the want of such presentment.