Decimal Currency Act 1969

3 Conversion of references to shillings and pence in certain instruments

(1) On and after the appointed day any reference to an amount of money in the old currency contained in an instrument to which this section applies shall, in so far as it refers to an amount in shillings or pence, be read as referring to the corresponding amount in the new currency calculated in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 to this Act.

(2) If a reference to an amount of money in the old currency contained in an instrument to which this section applies is altered so as to make it read as it would otherwise fall to be read in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, the alteration shall not affect the validity of the instrument and, in the case of a bill of exchange or promissory note, shall not be treated as a material alteration for the purposes of section 64 of the [1882 c. 61.] Bills of Exchange Act 1882.

(3) This section applies to instruments of any of the following descriptions drawn, made or issued before the appointed day, namely—

(a) cheques and other instruments to which section 4 of the [1957 c. 36.] Cheques Act 1957 applies ;

(b) bills of exchange other than cheques;

(c) promissory notes;

(d) money orders and postal orders;

(e) any warrant issued by or on behalf of the Director of Savings for the payment of a sum of money ;

(f) any document issued under the authority of the Secretary of State for Social Services or the Ministry of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland which is intended to enable a person to obtain payment of the sum mentioned in the document but is not a bill of exchange;

(g) any document not mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs which is intended to enable a person to obtain through a banker payment of any sum mentioned in the document.