Virginia National Bank v. Holt

In this appeal, which results from a suit on a negotiable instrument, we deal with proof of a signature. Pertinent to our consideration are the following italicized portions of Code § 8.3-307, a part of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC):

“§ 8.3-307. Burden of establishing signatures, defenses and due course__(1) Unless specifically denied in the pleadings each signature on an instrument is admitted. When the effectiveness of a signature is put in issue(a) the burden of establishing it is on the party claiming under the signature; but(b) the signature is presumed to be genuine or authorized…