{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.3A-420.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.3A-420.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.3A-420.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.3A-420.html"}],"law_id":75961,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75961,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-420","catch_line":"Conversion of instrument","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 6-490; 1964, c. 219, \u00a7 8.3-419; 1992, c. 693.","full_text":"a\n\nThe law applicable to conversion of personal property applies to instruments. An instrument is also converted if it is taken by transfer, other than a negotiation, from a person not entitled to enforce the instrument or a bank makes or obtains payment with respect to the instrument for a person not entitled to enforce the instrument or receive payment. An action for conversion of an instrument may not be brought by (i) the issuer or acceptor of the instrument or (ii) a payee or endorsee who did not receive delivery of the instrument either directly or through delivery to an agent or a co-payee.b\n\nIn an action under subsection (a), the measure of liability is presumed to be the amount payable on the instrument, but recovery may not exceed the amount of the plaintiff’s interest in the instrument.c\n\nA representative, other than a depositary bank, who has in good faith dealt with an instrument or its proceeds on behalf of one who was not the person entitled to enforce the instrument is not liable in conversion to that person beyond the amount of any proceeds that it has not paid out.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":272713,"text":"The law applicable to conversion of personal property applies to instruments. An instrument is also converted if it is taken by transfer, other than a negotiation, from a person not entitled to enforce the instrument or a bank makes or obtains payment with respect to the instrument for a person not entitled to enforce the instrument or receive payment. An action for conversion of an instrument may not be brought by (i) the issuer or acceptor of the instrument or (ii) a payee or endorsee who did not receive delivery of the instrument either directly or through delivery to an agent or a co-payee.","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"next_prefix":"b"},"1":{"id":272714,"text":"In an action under subsection (a), the measure of liability is presumed to be the amount payable on the instrument, but recovery may not exceed the amount of the plaintiff’s interest in the instrument.","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"c"},"2":{"id":272715,"text":"A representative, other than a depositary bank, who has in good faith dealt with an instrument or its proceeds on behalf of one who was not the person entitled to enforce the instrument is not liable in conversion to that person beyond the amount of any proceeds that it has not paid out.","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15041,"edition_id":1,"name":"Liability of Parties","identifier":"4","label":"part","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13054,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:41","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:41","permalink":{"id":282869,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15041,"identifier":"4","token":"8.3A\/4","url":"\/8.3A\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13054,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commercial Code \u2014 Negotiable Instruments","identifier":"8.3A","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","permalink":{"id":282705,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13054,"identifier":"8.3A","token":"8.3A","url":"\/8.3A\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":72303,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-401","catch_line":"Signature necessary for liability on instrument","url":"\/8.3A-401\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-401","metadata":false},{"id":57340,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-402","catch_line":"Signature by representative","url":"\/8.3A-402\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-402","metadata":false},{"id":73829,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-403","catch_line":"Unauthorized signature","url":"\/8.3A-403\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-403","metadata":false},{"id":82256,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-404","catch_line":"Impostors; fictitious payees","url":"\/8.3A-404\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-404","metadata":false},{"id":85778,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-405","catch_line":"Employer's responsibility for fraudulent endorsement by employee","url":"\/8.3A-405\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-405","metadata":false},{"id":86533,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-406","catch_line":"Negligence contributing to forged signature or alteration of instrument","url":"\/8.3A-406\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-406","metadata":false},{"id":76929,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-407","catch_line":"Alteration","url":"\/8.3A-407\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-407","metadata":false},{"id":72123,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-408","catch_line":"Drawee not liable on unaccepted draft","url":"\/8.3A-408\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-408","metadata":false},{"id":74394,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-409","catch_line":"Acceptance of draft; certified check","url":"\/8.3A-409\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-409","metadata":false},{"id":86849,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-410","catch_line":"Acceptance varying draft","url":"\/8.3A-410\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-410","metadata":false},{"id":76564,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-411","catch_line":"Refusal to pay cashier's checks, teller's checks, and certified checks","url":"\/8.3A-411\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-411","metadata":false},{"id":85403,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-412","catch_line":"Obligation of issuer of note or cashier's check","url":"\/8.3A-412\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-412","metadata":false},{"id":62163,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-413","catch_line":"Obligation of acceptor","url":"\/8.3A-413\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-413","metadata":false},{"id":81363,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-414","catch_line":"Obligation of drawer","url":"\/8.3A-414\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-414","metadata":false},{"id":78513,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-415","catch_line":"Obligation of endorser","url":"\/8.3A-415\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-415","metadata":false},{"id":58496,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-416","catch_line":"Transfer warranties","url":"\/8.3A-416\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-416","metadata":false},{"id":63742,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-417","catch_line":"Presentment warranties","url":"\/8.3A-417\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-417","metadata":false},{"id":68633,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-418","catch_line":"Payment or acceptance by mistake","url":"\/8.3A-418\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-418","metadata":false},{"id":62031,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-419","catch_line":"Instruments signed for accommodation","url":"\/8.3A-419\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-419","metadata":false},{"id":75961,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-420","catch_line":"Conversion of instrument","url":"\/8.3A-420\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-420","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62031,"structure_id":15041,"section_number":"8.3A-419","catch_line":"Instruments signed for accommodation","url":"\/8.3A-419\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-419","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.3A-420\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1964, chapter 219; in 1992, chapter 693.<\/p>","references":[{"id":57425,"section_number":"64.2-601","catch_line":"Payment or delivery of small asset by affidavit","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-601\/"},{"id":81502,"section_number":"8.4-203","catch_line":"Effect of instructions","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.4-203\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":282947,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75961,"identifier":"8.3A-420","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-420","url":"\/8.3A-420\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.3A-420\/","token":"8.3A\/4\/8.3A-420","dublin_core":{"Title":"Conversion of instrument","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.3A-420","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> The law<\/span> applicable to conversion of personal property applies to instruments. An instrument is also converted if it is taken by transfer, other than a negotiation, from a person not entitled to enforce the instrument or a bank makes or obtains payment with respect to the instrument for a person not entitled to enforce the instrument or receive payment. An action for conversion of an instrument may not be brought by (i) the issuer or acceptor of the instrument or (ii) a payee or endorsee who did not receive delivery of the instrument either directly or through delivery to an agent or a co-payee. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> In an action under subsection (a), the measure of liability is presumed to be the amount payable on the instrument, but recovery may not exceed the amount of the plaintiff<\/span>’s interest in the instrument. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

c.<\/span> A representative, other than a depositary bank, who has in good faith dealt with an instrument or its proceeds on behalf of one who was not the person entitled to enforce the instrument is not liable in conversion to that person beyond the amount of any proceeds that it has not paid out. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONVERSION OF INSTRUMENT (\u00a7 8.3A-420)\n\na. The law applicable to conversion of personal property applies to instruments.\nAn instrument is also converted if it is taken by transfer, other than a\nnegotiation, from a person not entitled to enforce the instrument or a bank\nmakes or obtains payment with respect to the instrument for a person not\nentitled to enforce the instrument or receive payment. An action for conversion\nof an instrument may not be brought by (i) the issuer or acceptor of the\ninstrument or (ii) a payee or endorsee who did not receive delivery of the\ninstrument either directly or through delivery to an agent or a co-payee.\n\nb. In an action under subsection (a), the measure of liability is presumed to be\nthe amount payable on the instrument, but recovery may not exceed the amount of\nthe plaintiff’s interest in the instrument.\n\nc. A representative, other than a depositary bank, who has in good faith dealt\nwith an instrument or its proceeds on behalf of one who was not the person\nentitled to enforce the instrument is not liable in conversion to that person\nbeyond the amount of any proceeds that it has not paid out.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 6-490; 1964, c. 219, \u00a7 8.3-419; 1992, c. 693.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}