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Promissory Notes: Negotiable Instruments Containing Express Terms Regarding Repayment
Question: What differentiates a demand note from a promissory note?
Answer: A demand note is payable upon request without a specified due date, while a promissory note sets a clear repayment timeline. Understanding these nuances can help you navigate your financial agreements with confidence, ensuring clarity in all your transactions.
Understanding What Constitutes As a Promissory Note and What Is Meant By a Demand Note Versus a Common Note
A promissory note is a legal document that binds one party (the issuer) to pay a specified amount of money to another party (the payor). The payor is legally obligated to make payment at the predetermined time or upon receiving a demand for repayment from the issuer. A promissory note will detail any applicable terms, including the rate of interest, if applicable, that may be accrued.
The Law
The Bills of Exchange Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. B-4, addresses promissory notes as a form of financial instrument, along with currency, cheques, among other things, and specifically defines a promissory note as:
176 (1) A promissory note is an unconditional promise in writing made by one person to another person, signed by the maker, engaging to pay, on demand or at a fixed or determinable future time, a sum certain in money to, or to the order of, a specified person or to bearer.
A promissory note is a contract between two parties, the borrower and the lender, where the borrower agrees to pay a certain amount of money to the lender at a specific time and under certain conditions. A bank note is a type of promissory note issued by a bank or other financial institution; but, it is backed by the assets of the bank which makes a bank note more secure than a regular promissory note.
Terms Upon Notes
A promissory note will typically include details of the principal amount due, the applicable interest rate, the parties involved including a "bearer of note" if a party is unspecified, the date of issue, the repayment terms, and the due date.
Payable Upon Demand
Demand notes are a type of promissory note but differ whereas a demand note lacks a specified due date and instead becomes due upon request of payment.
Summary Comment
A promissory note is a legal document that states a promise to pay a certain amount of money. A promissory note may take the form of a cheque, loan agreement, or other document, that serves as proof of an outstanding debt.
