{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/bills-of-exchange-act-1882/section-20",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/bills-of-exchange-act-1882/section-20.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/Vict/45-46/61",
  "legislation_title": "Bills of Exchange Act 1882",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/bills-of-exchange-act-1882",
  "path": "section/20",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "20",
  "heading": "Inchoate instruments.",
  "text": "(1) Where a simple signature on a blank . . . paper is delivered by the signer in order that it may be converted into a bill, it operates as a prima facie authority to fill it up as a complete bill for any amount . . . , using the signature for that of the drawer, or the acceptor, or an indorser; and, in like manner, when a bill is wanting in any material particular, the person in possession of it has a prima facie authority to fill up the omission in any way he thinks fit.\n(2) In order that any such instrument when completed may be enforceable against any person who became a party thereto prior to its completion, it must be filled up within a reasonable time, and strictly in accordance with the authority given. Reasonable time for this purpose is a question of fact.\nProvided that if any such instrument after completion is negotiated to a holder in due course it shall be valid and effectual for all purposes in his hands, and he may enforce it as if it had been filled up within a reasonable time and strictly in accordance with the authority given.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words repealed by Finance Act 1970 (c. 24), Sch. 8 Pt. V and Finance Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 (c. 21), Sch. 3 Pt. III."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/45-46/61/section/20",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T12:40:57.253128+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}