Crossing of cheques

a. General Crossing:A cheque may be crossed by the drawer/issuer and holder by drawing on its face two parallel transverse lines simply, either with or without the words ‘not negotiable’ or ‘and company’ or ‘account payee’. These are examples of “general crossing” and in such cases, the drawee banker shall not pay it otherwise than to a banker. The effect of such a crossing is that the cheque will be payable not in cash, but through the bank, by credit to the account of the payee.

b. Special Crossing:A special crossing consists of an addition of the name of a banker across the face of a cheque with or without two parallel transverse lines. The effect of such crossing is that the drawee bank shall not pay the cheque otherwise than to fhe banker to whom it is crossed or his agent for collection. This means that a specially crossed cheque has to be routed through an account with the named bank.