What is Pledge?

A pledge is a type of bailment in which the bailor delivers possession of goods to the bailee as security for a debt or obligation. The bailee has a right to keep the goods until the debt or obligation is paid, but they must also take care of the goods.

The pledge is a common law bailment, which means that it is created by the law and does not require any express agreement between the bailor and the bailee.

The pledge is a possessory security interest, which means that the bailee has physical possession of the goods. This gives the bailee a strong legal position in case the bailor defaults on the debt or obligation.

The pledge can be terminated in a number of ways, including:

  • The debt or obligation is paid in full.
  • The bailor redeems the goods by paying the bailee a sum of money.
  • The goods are lost or destroyed.
  • The bailee becomes bankrupt.

MCQs on Pledge

  1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a pledge?
    • It is a bailment.
    • It is a possessory security interest.
    • It is created by the law.
    • It requires an express agreement between the bailor and the bailee.
    • Answer: It requires an express agreement between the bailor and the bailee. A pledge is a common law bailment, which means that it is created by the law and does not require any express agreement between the bailor and the bailee.
  2. The pledge is a possessory security interest. What does this mean?
    • This means that the bailee has physical possession of the goods. This gives the bailee a strong legal position in case the bailor defaults on the debt or obligation.
  3. The pledge can be terminated in a number of ways, including:
    • The debt or obligation is paid in full.
    • The bailor redeems the goods by paying the bailee a sum of money.
    • The goods are lost or destroyed.
    • The bailee becomes bankrupt.
    • All of the above.
    • Answer: All of the above. The pledge can be terminated in any of these ways.