Types of Crossing of Cheque.

Types of Crossing:

a) General Crossing:

Generally, cheques are crossed when there are two transverse parallel lines, marked across its face or the cheque bears an abbreviation “& Co.“ between the two parallel lines or the cheque bears the words “Not Negotiable” between the two parallel lines or the cheque bears the words “A/c. Payee” between the two parallel lines.

A crossed cheque can be made bearer cheque by cancelling the crossing and writing that the crossing is cancelled and affixing the full signature of drawer.

Generally, cheques are crossed when:

* There are two transverse parallel lines, marked across its face, or

* The cheque bears an abbreviation “& Co. “between the two parallel lines, or

* The cheque bears the words “Not Negotiable” between the two parallel lines, or

* The cheque bears the words “A/c. Payee” between the two parallel lines.

Specimens of General Crossing

b) Special Crossing:

When a cheque is crossed by two parallel lines and the name of the banker is written between the two parallel lines it is called special crossing. There may be words "not negotiable" written between these two lines. The banker on whom it is drawn shall not pay it otherwise than to the banker to whom it is crossed or his agent for collection. It will be paid only when presented by the banker.

Essentials of Special Crossing:

i. Two parallel transverse lines are not at all essential for a special crossing.

ii. The name of a banker must be necessarily specified across the face of the cheque. The name of the banker itself constitutes special crossing.

iii. It must appear on the left hand side, preferably on the corner, so as not to obliterate the printed number of the cheque.

iv. The two parallel transverse lines and the words ‘Not Negotiable’ may be added to a special crossing.

Specimens of Special Crossing

Difference between General Crossing and Special Crossing:

Sl. No.	General Crossing	Special Crossing
1	Drawing of two parallel transverse lines is a must	Drawing of two parallel transverse lines is not essential.

2	Inclusion of the name of a banker is not essential	Inclusion of the name of a banker is essential.
3	In         General           crossing            paying banker honours the cheque from any bank a/c.	In special crossing paying banker honours the cheque only when it is presented through the bank specified in the crossing and no other bank.

4	General crossing can be converted into a Special Crossing	Special crossing can never be converted to general crossing
5	In case of General Crossing the words “And Company” or “& Company” or “Not Negotiable” between the transverse lines to highlight the crossing does not carry special significance.	In case of Special crossing the name of a banker may be written within two parallel transverse lines or with the words “And Company” or “Account Payee Only” or “Not Negotiable” the inclusion of these words has become customary.

c) Not Negotiable Crossing:

Often cheques are crossed with two parallel transverse lines. The words "A/c payee" or "A/c payee only" are written between these two lines. It means that the proceeds of the cheque are to be credited to the account of the payee only. This kind of crossing is also called 'Restrictive crossing".

d) A/C Payee Crossing:

There is no provision in law regarding this type of crossing. But it has been developed in practice. If the words, ‘A/c Payee’ are added to a crossing, it becomes an A/c Payee crossing.

e) Double Crossing:

Sec. 125 of the Act provides that, ‘Where a cheque is crossed specially, the banker to whom it is crossed, may again cross it specially to another banker, his agent for collection.’