Also known as:w/o recourse · qualified indorsement
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
2 senses
1
in corporate law
A pledge or encumbrance of corporate assets that limits the creditor's recovery to the designated collateral. The creditor may not pursue the corporation's other assets for repayment of the debt.
2
Sense 1
1
in corporate law
A pledge or encumbrance of corporate assets that limits the creditor's recovery to the designated collateral. The creditor may not pursue the corporation's other assets for repayment of the debt.
Sources & Authorities· 1 primary source
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Model Codes
Examples
Sense 2
2
in commercial paper
A qualified indorsement or drawer disclaimer on a negotiable instrument that eliminates the indorser's or drawer's secondary liability if the instrument is dishonored.
Sources & Authorities· 2 primary sources
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Uniform Acts
Put it into practice
Test Yourself
10
Practice Questions5
in commercial paper
A qualified indorsement or drawer disclaimer on a negotiable instrument that eliminates the indorser's or drawer's secondary liability if the instrument is dishonored.
Each sense below has its own examples, sources, and questions.
1
Corporate Asset Pledge
Warwick Electronics grants a lender a security interest in its manufacturing equipment to secure a loan. The loan agreement states that the pledge is made without recourse. When Warwick defaults, the lender may seize and sell only the equipment. It cannot obtain a judgment against Warwick's remaining cash reserves or other property.
Frequently Asked2
Does a without recourse pledge under the Model Business Corporation Act require shareholder approval?+
No shareholder approval is required for a corporation to mortgage or pledge its assets with or without recourse, even outside the ordinary course of business, unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise.
Supporting sources
How does without recourse differ from with recourse in a financing context?+
Without recourse confines the creditor to the pledged collateral alone. With recourse permits the creditor to pursue the borrower's other assets if the collateral proves insufficient.
Supporting sources
Examples1
Qualified Indorsement
Willow West receives a promissory note from a customer and indorses it to Winterhaven Logistics with the words without recourse. The customer later dishonors the note. Winterhaven may not recover the amount of the note from Willow because her indorsement disclaimed secondary liability.
United States Roofing, Inc. v. Credit Alliance Corp.228 Cal.App.3d 1431, 279 Cal.Rptr. 533, 14 UCC2d 746 (1991)
Frequently Asked2
What effect does the phrase without recourse have on an indorser's liability under the UCC?+
An indorsement stating without recourse eliminates the indorser's obligation to pay the instrument upon dishonor. The disclaimer must appear on the instrument itself and is effective for both notes and drafts that are not checks.
Supporting sources
Can a transferor of a check disclaim liability by adding without recourse to an indorsement?+
No. Under UCC Article 4, a transferor of a check cannot disclaim its obligation to pay a dishonored item by using a without recourse indorsement or similar language.
Supporting sources
Real PropertyOwnership of real property · Landlord-tenant lawUBEFoundational