Difference Between Cheque and Bill of Exchange

‘Cheque‘ is an instrument which contains an unconditional order, drawn on a banker, directing to pay a certain sum of money to the person whose name is specified in the instrument. In contrast, ‘Bill of Exchange‘ is a document contains an unconditional order, directing a person, to pay a certain amount to a specified person.

A negotiable instrument is a written document, which entitles a certain amount and is transferable from one person to another, by simple delivery or by endorsement and delivery. There are three types of a negotiable instrument as per statute, i.e. cheque, bills of exchange and promissory note. There are many instances when people juxtapose cheque for a bill of exchange, but they are different, in the sense that a bill of exchange requires acceptance, whereas there is no need for acceptance in cheque.

Go through with this article to learn some more differences between cheque and bill of exchange.

Content: Cheque Vs Bill of Exchange

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Similarities
5. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Cheque	Bill of Exchange
Meaning	A document used to make easy payments on demand and can be transferred through hand delivery is known as cheque.	A written document that shows the indebtedness of the debtor towards the creditor.
Defined in	Section 6 of The Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881	Section 5 of The Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881
Validity Period	3 months	Not Applicable
Payable to bearer on demand	Always	Cannot be made payable on demand as per RBI Act, 1934
Grace Days	Not Applicable, as it is always payable at the time of presentment.	3 days of grace are allowed.
Acceptance	A cheque does not require acceptance.	Bill of exchange needs to be accepted.
Stamping	No such requirement.	Must be stamped.
Crossing	Yes	No
Drawee	Bank	Person or Bank
Noting or Protesting	If the cheque is dishonoured it cannot be noted or protested	If a bill of exchange is dishonoured it can be noted or protested.

Definition of Cheque

A cheque is a type of bill of exchange, used for the purpose of making payment to any person. It is an unconditional order, addressing the drawee to make payment on behalf the drawer, a certain sum of money to the payee. A cheque is always payable on demand, i.e. the amount is paid to the bearer of the instrument at the time of presentment of the cheque. It is always in writing and signed by the drawer of the instrument.

There are three parties  involved in case of cheque:

• Drawer: The maker or issuer of the cheque.
• Drawee: The bank, which makes payment of the cheque.
• Payee: The person who gets the payment of the cheque or whose name is mentioned on the cheque.

It should be noted that the issuer must have an account with the bank. There is a specified time limit of 3 months, during which the cheque must be presented for payment. If a person presents the cheque after the expiry of 3 months, then the cheque will be dishonored. The various types of cheques are:

• Electronic Cheque: A cheque in electronic form is known as an electronic cheque.
• Truncated Cheque: A cheque in paper form is known as truncated cheque.

Definition of Bill of Exchange

A bill of exchange is a negotiable instrument, contains an unconditional order, directing the drawee to pay a certain sum of money to payee addressed in the instrument. The bill is made and signed by the drawer and accepted by the drawee. It contains a pre-determined date on which the payment is to be made to the payee. It can be payable on demand when the bill is discounted with the bank. The parties to the bill of exchange must be certain.

There are three parties involved in the bill of exchange, they are:

• Drawer: The maker of the bill of exchange.
• Drawee: A person on whom the bill is drawn, i.e., the person who gives acceptance to make payment to the payee.
• Payee: The person who gets the payment.

There are three days of grace allowed to the drawee, to make payment to the payee, when it becomes due. You might wonder about the days of grace, let’s understand it with an example: A bill is drawn on 5-10-2014 in the name of X, to make payment to Y after 3 months. The bill will become due on 5-01-2015 while the date of maturity is 8-01-2015 because of 3 days of grace are added to it. The following are the types of bill of exchange:

• Inland Bill
• Foreign Bill
• Time Bill
• Demand Bill
• Trade Bill
• Accommodation Bill

Similarities

• They are Negotiable Instrument.
• Addressing the drawee to make payment.
• Always in writing.
• Signed by the drawer of the instrument.
• Express order to pay a certain amount.

Conclusion

Cheque and Bill of Exchange both are used to make payments easily. However, the cheque itself is a type of bill of exchange, used to discharge the liabilities and so it consists of all the features of a bill of exchange. Not only in business, but individuals, government agencies, and other institutions also use the cheque to make payments but the bill of exchange is mostly used in business.