The Bills of Lading Act, 1856

Act No. IX of 1856
Date of Assent: [Date from original act]
Status: Active

Preamble

An Act to define the rights and liabilities arising out of bills of lading.

Short Title and Commencement

This Act may be called the Bills of Lading Act, 1856, and shall extend to the whole of Bangladesh.

Definitions

Bill of Lading: A document acknowledging the receipt of goods for shipment issued by a person engaged in the business of transporting goods.

Main Provisions

Section 1 - Rights of Transferee

Every consignee of goods named in a bill of lading, and every endorsee of a bill of lading to whom the property in the goods therein mentioned shall pass upon or by reason of such consignment or endorsement, shall have transferred to and vested in him all rights of suit, and be subject to the same liabilities in respect of such goods as if the contract contained in the bill of lading had been made with himself.

Section 2 - Preservation of Original Rights

Nothing in this Act contained shall prejudice or affect any right of stoppage in transitu, or any right to claim freight against the original shipper or owner, or any liability of the consignee or endorsee by reason or in consequence of his being such consignee or endorsee, or of his receipt of the goods by reason or in consequence of such consignment or endorsement.

Historical Context

This Act was enacted to regulate the transfer of property rights in goods through bills of lading, which are crucial documents in maritime commerce.

Current Application

This Act continues to be relevant for maritime trade and commercial transactions involving the shipment of goods.

---

Source: Bangladesh Laws - Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs
Available at: http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-details-8.html