41-01 General Provisions

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TITLE 41UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODECHAPTER 41-01GENERAL PROVISIONS41-01-01. (1-101) Short titles.1.This title may be cited as the Uniform Commercial Code.2.This chapter may be cited as Uniform Commercial Code - General Provisions.41-01-02. (1-102) Scope of chapter. This chapter applies to a transaction to the extentthat the transaction is governed by another chapter of this title.41-01-03. (1-103) Construction of title to promote the title's purposes and policies -Applicability of supplemental principles of law.1.This title must be liberally construed and applied to promote the title's underlying<br>purposes and policies, which are:a.To simplify, clarify, and modernize the law governing commercial transactions;b.To permit the continued expansion of commercial practices through custom,<br>usage, and agreement of the parties; andc.To make uniform the law among the various jurisdictions.2.Unless displaced by the particular provisions of this title, the principles of law and<br>equity, including the law merchant and the law relative to capacity to contract,<br>principal and agent, estoppel, fraud, misrepresentation, duress, coercion, mistake,<br>bankruptcy, and other validating or invalidating cause supplement this title.41-01-04.(1-104) Construction against implied repeal.This title is a general actintended as a unified coverage of its subject matter. A part of this title may not be deemed to be<br>impliedly repealed by subsequent legislation if such construction can reasonably be avoided.41-01-05. (1-105) Severability. If any provision or clause of this title or its application toany person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or<br>applications of this title which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and<br>to this end the provisions of this title are severable.41-01-06. (1-106) Use of singular and plural - Gender. In this title, unless the statutorycontext otherwise requires:1.Words in the singular number include the plural, and those in the plural include the<br>singular; and2.Words of any gender also refer to any other gender.41-01-07. (1-107) Section captions. Section captions are part of this title.41-01-08.(1-108) Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and NationalCommerce Act. This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures<br>in Global and National Commerce Act [Pub. L. 106-229; 114 Stat. 464; 15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.]<br>but does not modify, limit, or supersede section 101(c) of that Act [15 U.S.C. 7001(c)] orPage No. 1authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103(b) of that Act [15<br>U.S.C. 103(b)].41-01-09. (1-201) General definitions.1.Unless the context otherwise requires, words or phrases defined in this section, or in<br>additional definitions contained in other chapters of this title which apply to particular<br>chapters or parts of chapters, have the meanings stated.2.Subject to definitions contained in other chapters of this title which apply to particular<br>chapters or parts of chapters:a.&quot;Action&quot;, in the sense of a judicial proceeding, includes recoupment,<br>counterclaim, setoff, suit in equity, and any other proceeding in which rights are<br>determined.b.&quot;Aggrieved party&quot; means a party entitled to pursue a remedy.c.&quot;Agreement&quot;, as distinguished from &quot;contract&quot;, means the bargain of the parties<br>in fact, as found in their language or inferred from other circumstances,<br>including course of performance, course of dealing, or usage of trade as<br>provided under section 41-09-17.d.&quot;Bank&quot; means a person engaged in the business of banking and includes a<br>savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, and trust company.e.&quot;Bearer&quot; means a person in control of a negotiable electronic document of title<br>or a person in possession of a negotiable instrument, negotiable tangible<br>document of title, or certificated security that is payable to bearer or indorsed in<br>blank.f.&quot;Bill of lading&quot; means a document of title evidencing the receipt of goods for<br>shipment issued by a person engaged in the business of directly or indirectly<br>transporting or forwarding goods.The term does not include a warehousereceipt.g.&quot;Branch&quot; includes a separately incorporated foreign branch of a bank.h.&quot;Burden of establishing&quot; a fact means the burden of persuading the trier of fact<br>that the existence of the fact is more probable than its nonexistence.i.&quot;Buyer in ordinary course of business&quot; means a person that buys goods in good<br>faith, without knowledge that the sale violates the rights of another person in the<br>goods, and in the ordinary course from a person, other than a pawnbroker, in<br>the business of selling goods of that kind. A person buys goods in the ordinary<br>course if the sale to the person comports with the usual or customary practices<br>in the kind of business in which the seller is engaged or with the seller's own<br>usual or customary practices. A person that sells oil, gas, or other minerals at<br>the wellhead or minehead is a person in the business of selling goods of that<br>kind. A buyer in ordinary course of business may buy for cash, by exchange of<br>other property, or on secured or unsecured credit, and may acquire goods or<br>documents of title under a preexisting contract for sale. Only a buyer that takes<br>possession of the goods or has a right to recover the goods from the seller<br>under chapter 41-02 may be a buyer in ordinary course of business. &quot;Buyer in<br>ordinary course of business&quot; does not include a person that acquires goods in a<br>transfer in bulk or as security for or in total or partial satisfaction of a money<br>debt.Page No. 2j.&quot;Conspicuous&quot;, with reference to a term, means so written, displayed, or<br>presented that a reasonable person against which it is to operate ought to have<br>noticed it. Whether a term is &quot;conspicuous&quot; or not is a decision for the court.<br>Conspicuous terms include the following:(1)A heading in capitals equal to or greater in size than the surrounding text,<br>or in contrasting type, font, or color to the surrounding text of the same or<br>lesser size; and(2)Language in the body of a record or display in larger type than the<br>surrounding text, or in contrasting type, font, or color to the surrounding<br>text of the same size, or set off from surrounding text of the same size by<br>symbols or other marks that call attention to the language.k.&quot;Consumer&quot; means an individual who enters into a transaction primarily for<br>personal, family, or household purposes.l.&quot;Contract&quot;, as distinguished from &quot;agreement&quot;, means the total legal obligation<br>that results from the parties' agreement as determined by this title as<br>supplemented by any other applicable laws.m.&quot;Creditor&quot; includes a general creditor, a secured creditor, a lien creditor, and<br>any representative of creditors, including an assignee for the benefit of<br>creditors, a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver in equity, and an executor or<br>administrator of an insolvent debtor's or assignor's estate.n.&quot;Defendant&quot; includes a person in the position of defendant in a counterclaim,<br>cross-claim, or third-party claim.o.&quot;Delivery&quot;, with respect to an electronic document of title means voluntary<br>transfer of control and with respect to an instrument, a tangible document of<br>title, or chattel paper, means voluntary transfer of possession.p.&quot;Document of title&quot; means a record that in the regular course of business or<br>financing is treated as adequately evidencing that the person in possession or<br>control of the record is entitled to receive, control, hold, and dispose of the<br>record and the goods the record covers and that purports to be issued by or<br>addressed to a bailee and to cover goods in the bailee's possession which are<br>either identified or are fungible portions of an identified mass.The termincludes a bill of lading, transport document, dock warrant, dock receipt,<br>warehouse receipt, and order for delivery of goods. An electronic document of<br>title means a document of title evidenced by a record consisting of information<br>stored in an electronic medium.A tangible document of title means adocument of title evidenced by a record consisting of information that is<br>inscribed on a tangible medium.q.&quot;Fault&quot; means a default, breach, or wrongful act or omission.r.&quot;Fungible goods&quot; means:(1)Goods of which any unit, by nature or usage of trade, is the equivalent of<br>any other like unit; or(2)Goods that by agreement are treated as equivalent.s.&quot;Genuine&quot; means free of forgery or counterfeiting.t.&quot;Good faith&quot;, except as otherwise provided in chapter 41-05, means honesty in<br>fact and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing.Page No. 3u.&quot;Holder&quot; means:(1)The person in possession of a negotiable instrument that is payable<br>either to bearer or to an identified person that is the person in<br>possession;(2)The person in possession of a document of title if the goods are<br>deliverable either to bearer or to the order of the person in possession; or(3)The person in control of a negotiable electronic document of title.v.&quot;Insolvency proceeding&quot; includes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or<br>other proceeding intended to liquidate or rehabilitate the estate of the person<br>involved.w.&quot;Insolvent&quot; means:(1)Having generally ceased to pay debts in the ordinary course of business<br>other than as a result of bona fide dispute;(2)Being unable to pay debts as they become due; or(3)Being insolvent within the meaning of federal bankruptcy law.x.&quot;Money&quot; means a medium of exchange currently authorized or adopted by a<br>domestic or foreign government. The term includes a monetary unit of account<br>established by an intergovernmental organization or by agreement between two<br>or more countries.y.&quot;Organization&quot; means a person other than an individual.z.&quot;Party&quot;, as distinguished from &quot;third party&quot;, means a person that has engaged<br>in a transaction or made an agreement subject to this title.aa.&quot;Person&quot; means an individual, a corporation, a business trust, an estate, a trust,<br>a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a joint venture, a<br>government, a governmental subdivision, an agency, or an instrumentality, a<br>public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.bb.&quot;Present value&quot; means the amount as of a date certain of one or more sums<br>payable in the future, discounted to the date certain by use of either an interest<br>rate specified by the parties if that rate is not manifestly unreasonable at the<br>time the transaction is entered or, if an interest rate is not so specified, a<br>commercially reasonable rate that takes into account the facts and<br>circumstances at the time the transaction is entered.cc.&quot;Purchase&quot; means taking by sale, lease, discount, negotiation, mortgage,<br>pledge, lien, security interest, issue or reissue, gift, or any other voluntary<br>transaction creating an interest in property.dd.&quot;Purchaser&quot; means a person that takes by purchase.ee.&quot;Record&quot; means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is<br>stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.ff.&quot;Remedy&quot; means any remedial right to which an aggrieved party is entitled with<br>or without resort to a tribunal.Page No. 4gg.&quot;Representative&quot; means a person empowered to act for another, including an<br>agent, an officer of a corporation or association, and a trustee, executor, or<br>administrator of an estate.hh.&quot;Right&quot; includes remedy.ii.&quot;Security interest&quot; means an interest in personal property or fixtures which<br>secures payment or performance of an obligation. &quot;Security interest&quot; includes<br>any interest of a consignor and a buyer of accounts, chattel paper, a payment<br>intangible, or a promissory note in a transaction that is subject to chapter 41-09.<br>&quot;Security interest&quot; does not include the special property interest of a buyer of<br>goods on identification of those goods to a contract for sale under section<br>41-02-46, but a buyer may also acquire a &quot;security interest&quot; by complying with<br>chapter 41-09. Except as otherwise provided in section 41-02-53, the right of a<br>seller or lessor of goods under chapter 41-02 or 41-02.1 to retain or acquire<br>possession of the goods is not a &quot;security interest&quot;, but a seller or lessor may<br>also acquire a &quot;security interest&quot; by complying with chapter 41-09.Theretention or reservation of title by a seller of goods notwithstanding shipment or<br>delivery to the buyer under section 41-02-46 is limited in effect to a reservation<br>of a &quot;security interest&quot;. Whether a transaction in the form of a lease creates a<br>&quot;security interest&quot; is determined under section 41-01-11.jj.&quot;Send&quot; in connection with a writing, record, or notice means:(1)To deposit in the mail or deliver for transmission by any other usual<br>means of communication with postage or cost of transmission provided<br>for and properly addressed and, in the case of an instrument, to an<br>address specified on the instrument or otherwise agreed, or if there be<br>none to any address reasonable under the circumstances; or(2)In any other way to cause to be received any record or notice within the<br>time it would have arrived if properly sent.kk.&quot;Signed&quot; includes using any symbol executed or adopted with present intention<br>to adopt or accept a writing.ll.&quot;State&quot; means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto<br>Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession<br>subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.mm. &quot;Surety&quot; includes a guarantor or other secondary obligor.nn.&quot;Term&quot; means a portion of an agreement that relates to a particular matter.oo.&quot;Unauthorized signature&quot; means a signature made without actual, implied, or<br>apparent authority. The term includes a forgery.pp.&quot;Warehouse receipt&quot; means a document of title issued by a person engaged in<br>the business of storing goods for hire.qq.&quot;Writing&quot; includes printing, typewriting, or any other intentional reduction to<br>tangible form. &quot;Written&quot; has a corresponding meaning.41-01-10. (1-202) Notice - Knowledge.1.Subject to subsection 6, a person has &quot;notice&quot; of a fact if the person:a.Has actual knowledge of that fact;Page No. 5b.Has received a notice or notification of that fact; orc.From all the facts and circumstances known to the person at the time in<br>question, has reason to know that that fact exists.2.&quot;Knowledge&quot; means actual knowledge. &quot;Knows&quot; has a corresponding meaning.3.&quot;Discover&quot;, &quot;learn&quot;, or words of similar import refer to knowledge rather than to<br>reason to know.4.A person &quot;notifies&quot; or &quot;gives&quot; a notice or notification to another person by taking such<br>steps as may be reasonably required to inform the other person in ordinary course,<br>whether or not the other person actually comes to know of it.5.Subject to subsection 6, a person &quot;receives&quot; a notice or notification when:a.It comes to that person's attention; orb.It is duly delivered in a form reasonable under the circumstances at the place of<br>business through which the contract was made or at another location held out<br>by that person as the place for receipt of such communications.6.Notice, knowledge, or a notice or notification received by an organization is effective<br>for a particular transaction from the time it is brought to the attention of the individual<br>conducting that transaction and, in any event, from the time it would have been<br>brought to the individual's attention if the organization had exercised due diligence.<br>An organization exercises due diligence if the organization maintains reasonable<br>routines for communicating significant information to the person conducting the<br>transaction and there is reasonable compliance with the routines. Due diligence<br>does not require an individual acting for the organization to communicate information<br>unless the communication is part of the individual's regular duties or the individual<br>has reason to know of the transaction and that the transaction would be materially<br>affected by the information.41-01-10.1. (11-102) Preservation of existing transition provisions. The provisions ofsection 41-01-10 shall continue to apply to chapter 343 of the 1973 Session Laws as codified in<br>this title, and for this purpose title 41 as enacted and as amended shall be considered one<br>continuous statute.41-01-10.2. (11-103) General rule of transition. Transactions validly entered into afterthe effective date of this title and before January 1, 1974, and the rights, duties, and interests<br>flowing from those transactions remain valid after January 1, 1974, and may be terminated,<br>completed, consummated, or enforced as required or permitted by this title as amended by<br>chapter 343 of the 1973 Session Laws. Security interests arising out of those transactions which<br>are perfected on January 1, 1974, remain perfected until they lapse as provided in chapter 343 of<br>the 1973 Session Laws, as codified in this title, and may be continued as permitted by that<br>chapter, except as stated in section 41-01-10.5.41-01-10.3. (11-104) Transition on change of filing requirement. A security interestfor the perfection of which filing or the taking of possession was required under title 41 and which<br>attached prior to January 1, 1974, but was not perfected, is deemed perfected on January 1,<br>1974, if chapter 343 of the 1973 Session Laws, as codified in this title, permits perfection without<br>filing or authorizes filing in an office where any prior ineffective filing was made.41-01-10.4. (11-105) Transition on change of place of filing.1.A previously filed financing statement or continuation statement which shall not have<br>lapsed prior to January 1, 1974, remains effective for the period previously provided<br>for in this title, but not less than five years after the filing.Page No. 62.With respect to any collateral acquired by the debtor after January 1, 1974, any<br>effective financing statement or continuation statement described in this section<br>applies only to the extent that filing is in an office appropriate to perfect security<br>interests in the newly acquired collateral under chapter 343 of the 1973 Session<br>Laws, as codified in this title.3.The effectiveness of a financing statement or continuation statement filed prior to<br>January 1, 1974, may be continued by a continuation statement as permitted by<br>chapter 343 of the 1973 Session Laws, as codified in this title, except that if that<br>chapter requires a filing in an office where there was no previously filed financing<br>statement, a new financing statement conforming to section 41-01-10.5 shall be filed<br>in that office.41-01-10.5. (11-106) Required refilings.1.If a security interest, without filing or recording, is perfected or has priority on<br>January 1, 1974, as to all persons or as to certain persons and the filing or recording<br>of a financing statement would be required for the perfection or priority of the<br>security interest against those persons, the perfection and priority rights of the<br>security interest continue until three years after January 1, 1974, at which time the<br>perfection will lapse unless a financing statement is filed or recorded as provided for<br>in subsection 4 or the security interest is otherwise perfected.2.If a security interest is perfected on January 1, 1974, under a law other than this title<br>which requires no further filing, refiling, or recording in order to continue its<br>perfection, perfection continues until three years after January 1, 1974, at which time<br>the perfection will lapse, unless a financing statement is filed as provided for in<br>subsection 4, the security interest is otherwise perfected, or under subsection 3 of<br>section 41-09-23 the other law continues to govern filing.3.If a security interest is perfected by a filing, refiling, or recording under any statute or<br>other law repealed or modified by chapter 343 of the 1973 Session Laws, as codified<br>in this title, which required further filing, refiling, or recording in order to continue its<br>perfection, perfection continues and will lapse on the date provided for by the law so<br>repealed for such further filing, refiling, or recording, unless a financing statement is<br>filed as provided for in subsection 4 or the security interest is otherwise perfected.4.A financing statement may be filed within six months before the perfection of a<br>security interest would otherwise lapse. The financing statement may be signed by<br>either the debtor or the secured party.It must identify the security agreement,statement, or notice (however denominated in any statute or other law repealed or<br>modified by chapter 343 of the 1973 Session Laws, as codified in this title), state the<br>office where and the date when the last filing, refiling, or recording, if any, was made<br>with respect to it, and the filing number, if any, or book and page, if any, of any<br>recording and further state that the security agreement, statement, or notice<br>(however denominated) in another filing office under this title or under any statute or<br>other law repealed or modified by chapter 343 of the 1973 Session Laws, as codified<br>in this title, is still effective. Sections 41-09-40 and 41-09-03 govern the proper place<br>to file the financing statement. Except as specified in this subsection, the provisions<br>of subsection 3 of section 41-09-42 for continuation statements apply to the<br>financing statement.41-01-10.6. (11-107) Transition as to priorities. Except as otherwise provided for insections 41-01-10.2, 41-01-10.3, 41-01-10.4, and 41-01-10.5, the provisions of this title which<br>fixed priority positions of the parties prior to January 1, 1974, continue to govern them. In other<br>cases, questions of priority are governed by this title as amended by chapter 343 of the 1973<br>Session Laws.Page No. 741-01-10.7. (11-108) Presumption that rule of law continues unchanged. Unless achange in the law has clearly been made, chapter 343 of the 1973 Session Laws is deemed<br>declaratory of the meaning of this title prior to January 1, 1974.41-01-11. (1-203) Lease distinguished from security interest.1.Whether a transaction in the form of a lease creates a lease or security interest is<br>determined by the facts of each case.2.A transaction in the form of a lease creates a security interest if the consideration<br>that the lessee is to pay the lessor for the right to possession and use of the goods is<br>an obligation for the term of the lease and is not subject to termination by the lessee,<br>and:a.The original term of the lease is equal to or greater than the remaining<br>economic life of the goods;b.The lessee is bound to renew the lease for the remaining economic life of the<br>goods or is bound to become the owner of the goods;c.The lessee has an option to renew the lease for the remaining economic life of<br>the goods for no additional consideration or for nominal additional consideration<br>upon compliance with the lease agreement; ord.The lessee has an option to become the owner of the goods for no additional<br>consideration or for nominal additional consideration upon compliance with the<br>lease agreement.3.A transaction in the form of a lease does not create a security interest merely<br>because:a.The present value of the consideration the lessee is obligated to pay the lessor<br>for the right to possession and use of the goods is substantially equal to or is<br>greater than the fair market value of the goods at the time the lease is entered;b.The lessee assumes risk of loss of the goods;c.The lessee agrees to pay, with respect to the goods, taxes, insurance, filing,<br>recording, or registration fees, or service or maintenance costs;d.The lessee has an option to renew the lease or to become the owner of the<br>goods;e.The lessee has an option to renew the lease for a fixed rent that is equal to or<br>greater than the reasonably predictable fair market rent for the use of the goods<br>for the term of the renewal at the time the option is to be performed; orf.The lessee has an option to become the owner of the goods for a fixed price<br>that is equal to or greater than the reasonably predictable fair market value of<br>the goods at the time the option is to be performed.4.Additional consideration is nominal if that consideration is less than the lessee's<br>reasonably predictable cost of performing under the lease agreement if the option is<br>not exercised. Additional consideration is not nominal if:a.When the option to renew the lease is granted to the lessee, the rent is stated<br>to be the fair market rent for the use of the goods for the term of the renewal<br>determined at the time the option is to be performed; orPage No. 8b.When the option to become the owner of the goods is granted to the lessee, the<br>price is stated to be the fair market value of the goods determined at the time<br>the option is to be performed.5.The &quot;remaining economic life of the goods&quot; and &quot;reasonably predictable&quot; fair market<br>rent, fair market value, or cost of performing under the lease agreement must be<br>determined with reference to the facts and circumstances at the time the transaction<br>is entered.41-01-12. (1-204) Value. Except as otherwise provided in chapters 41-03, 41-04, and41-05, a person gives value for rights if the person acquires the rights:1.In return for a binding commitment to extend credit or for the extension of<br>immediately available credit, whether or not drawn upon and whether or not a<br>chargeback is provided for in the event of difficulties in collection;2.As security for, or in total or partial satisfaction of, a preexisting claim;3.By accepting delivery under a preexisting contract for purchase; or4.In return for any consideration sufficient to support a simple contract.41-01-13. (1-205) Reasonable time - Seasonableness.1.Whether a time for taking an action required under this title is reasonable depends<br>on the nature, purpose, and circumstances of the action.2.An action is taken seasonably if the action is taken at or within the time agreed or, if<br>no time is agreed, at or within a reasonable time.41-01-14. (1-206) Presumptions. If this title creates a &quot;presumption&quot; with respect to afact or provides that a fact is &quot;presumed&quot;, the trier of fact shall find the existence of the fact<br>unless and until evidence is introduced that supports a finding of the fact's nonexistence.41-01-15. (1-301) Territorial applicability - Parties' power to choose applicable law.1.Except as provided hereafter in this section, when a transaction bears a reasonable<br>relation to this state and also to another state or nation the parties may agree that<br>the law either of this state or of such other state or nation shall govern their rights<br>and duties. Failing such agreement, this title applies to transactions bearing an<br>appropriate relation to this state.2.If one of the following provisions of this title specifies the applicable law, that<br>provision governs and a contrary agreement is effective only to the extent permitted<br>by the law, including the conflict of laws rules, so specified:a.Rights of creditors against sold goods. Section 41-02-47.b.Applicability of the chapter on leases. Sections 41-02.1-05 and 41-02.1-06.c.Applicability of the chapter on bank deposits and collections. Section 41-04-02.d.Governing law in the chapter on funds transfers. Section 41-04.1-38.e.Letters of credit. Section 41-05-16.f.Applicability of the chapter on investment securities. Section 41-08-10.Page No. 9g.Law governing perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection, and the<br>priority of security interests and agricultural liens. Sections 41-09-21 through<br>41-09-27.41-01-16. (1-302) Variation by agreement.1.Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 or elsewhere under this title, the effect<br>of provisions of this title may be varied by agreement.2.The obligations of good faith, diligence, reasonableness, and care prescribed under<br>this title may not be disclaimed by agreement. The parties, by agreement, may<br>determine the standards by which the performance of those obligations is to be<br>measured if those standards are not manifestly unreasonable. If this title requires an<br>action to be taken within a reasonable time, a time that is not manifestly<br>unreasonable may be fixed by agreement.3.The presence in certain provisions of this title of the phrase &quot;unless otherwise<br>agreed&quot;, or words of similar import, does not imply that the effect of other provisions<br>may not be varied by agreement under this section.41-01-17. (1-303) Course of performance - Course of dealing - Usage of trade.1.A &quot;course of performance&quot; is a sequence of conduct between the parties to a<br>particular transaction that exists if:a.The agreement of the parties with respect to the transaction involves repeated<br>occasions for performance by a party; andb.The other party, with knowledge of the nature of the performance and<br>opportunity for objection to it, accepts the performance or acquiesces in the<br>performance without objection.2.A &quot;course of dealing&quot; is a sequence of conduct concerning previous transactions<br>between the parties to a particular transaction that is fairly to be regarded as<br>establishing a common basis of understanding for interpreting their expressions and<br>other conduct.3.A &quot;usage of trade&quot; is any practice or method of dealing having such regularity of<br>observance in a place, vocation, or trade as to justify an expectation that it will be<br>observed with respect to the transaction in question. The existence and scope of<br>such a usage must be proved as facts. If it is established that such a usage is<br>embodied in a trade code or similar record, the interpretation of the record is a<br>question of law.4.A course of performance or course of dealing between the parties or usage of trade<br>in the vocation or trade in which the parties are engaged or of which the parties are<br>or should be aware is relevant in ascertaining the meaning of the parties' agreement,<br>may give particular meaning to specific terms of the agreement, and may<br>supplement or qualify the terms of the agreement. A usage of trade applicable in<br>the place in which part of the performance under the agreement is to occur may be<br>so utilized as to that part of the performance.5.Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, the express terms of an agreement<br>and any applicable course of performance, course of dealing, or usage of trade must<br>be construed whenever reasonable as consistent with each other.If such aconstruction is unreasonable:a.Express terms prevail over course of performance, course of dealing, and<br>usage of trade;Page No. 10b.Course of performance prevails over course of dealing and usage of trade; andc.Course of dealing prevails over usage of trade.6.Subject to section 41-02-16, a course of performance is relevant to show a waiver or<br>modification of any term inconsistent with the course of performance.7.Evidence of a relevant usage of trade offered by one party is not admissible unless<br>that party has given the other party notice that the court finds sufficient to prevent<br>unfair surprise to the other party.41-01-18.(1-304) Obligation of good faith.Every contract or duty within this titleimposes an obligation of good faith in its performance and enforcement. This section does not<br>support an independent claim for relief for failure to perform or enforce in good faith and does not<br>create a separate duty of fairness and reasonableness which can be independently breached.41-01-19. (1-305) Remedies to be liberally administered.1.The remedies provided under this title must be liberally administered to the end that<br>the aggrieved party may be put in as good a position as if the other party had fully<br>performed but neither consequential or special damages nor penal damages may be<br>had except as specifically provided under this title or by other rule of law.2.Any right or obligation declared under this title is enforceable by action unless the<br>provision declaring the right or obligation specifies a different and limited effect.41-01-20. (1-306) Waiver or renunciation of claim or right after breach. A claim orright arising out of an alleged breach may be discharged in whole or in part without consideration<br>by agreement of the aggrieved party in an authenticated record.41-01-21. (1-307) Prima facie evidence by third-party documents. A document indue form purporting to be a bill of lading, a policy or certificate of insurance, an official weigher's<br>or inspector's certificate, a consular invoice, or any other document authorized or required by the<br>contract to be issued by a third party is prima facie evidence of the document's own authenticity<br>and genuineness and of the facts stated in the document by the third party.41-01-22. (1-308) Performance or acceptance under reservation of rights.1.A party that with explicit reservation of rights performs or promises performance or<br>assents to performance in a manner demanded or offered by the other party does<br>not thereby prejudice the rights reserved. Such words as &quot;without prejudice&quot;, &quot;under<br>protest&quot;, or the like are sufficient.2.Subsection 1 does not apply to an accord and satisfaction.41-01-23. (1-309) Option to accelerate at will. A term providing that one party or thatparty's successor in interest may accelerate payment or performance or require collateral or<br>additional collateral &quot;at will&quot; or when the party &quot;deems itself insecure&quot;, or words of similar import,<br>means that the party has power to do so only if that party in good faith believes that the prospect<br>of payment or performance is impaired. The burden of establishing lack of good faith is on the<br>party against which the power has been exercised.41-01-24.(1-310) Subordinated obligations.An obligation may be issued assubordinated to performance of another obligation of the person obligated, or a creditor may<br>subordinate the creditor's right to performance of an obligation by agreement with either the<br>person obligated or another creditor of the person obligated. Subordination does not create a<br>security interest as against either the common debtor or a subordinated creditor.Page No. 11Document Outlinechapter 41-01 general provisions