Indorsement

Indorsement, the term generally used to denote the writing of the name of the holder on the back of a bill of exchange or promissory note, on transferring or assigning it to another. Signing the name 'A. B.' alone is a blank indorsement; and if the transferee is named it is an indorsement 'in special' or 'in full.' The usual form is 'Pay C. D. or order. (Signed) A. B.' In Scotland it is 'Pay the contents to C. D. or order. (Signed) A. B.' When personal liability is to be avoided the words 'without recourse' are added, and in this case no demand can come back on the indorser, who would otherwise be liable. The word indorsement is also frequently used in English law to denote any matters written or indorsed on the back of writs or deeds, as indorsements on declarations, on writs of summons, &c.