2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 55 - Uniform Commercial Code
Article 2A - Leases
Section 55-2A-531 - Standing to sue third parties for injury to goods.

(1) If a third party so deals with goods that have been identified to a lease contract as to cause actionable injury to a party to the lease contract (a) the lessor has a right of action against the third party, and (b) the lessee also has a right of action against the third party if the lessee:

(i) has a security interest in the goods;

(ii) has an insurable interest in the goods; or

(iii) bears the risk of loss under the lease contract or has since the injury assumed that risk as against the lessor and the goods have been converted or destroyed.

(2) If at the time of the injury the party plaintiff did not bear the risk of loss as against the other party to the lease contract and there is no arrangement between them for disposition of the recovery, his suit or settlement, subject to his own interest, is as a fiduciary for the other party to the lease contract.

(3) Either party with the consent of the other may sue for the benefit of whom it may concern.

History: 1978 Comp., § 55-2A-531, enacted by Laws 1992, ch. 114, § 86.

OFFICIAL COMMENTS

UCC Official Comments by ALI & the NCCUSL. Reproduced with permission of the PEB for the UCC. All rights reserved.

Uniform Statutory Source: — Section 2-722 [55-2-722 NMSA 1978].

Changes: — Revised to reflect leasing practices and terminology.

"Action". Section 1-201(1) [55-1-201 NMSA 1978].

"Goods". Section 2A-103(1)(h) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978].

"Lease contract". Section 2A-103(1)(l) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978].

"Lessee". Section 2A-103(1)(n) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978].

"Lessor". Section 2A-103(1)(p) [55-2A-103 NMSA 1978].

"Party". Section 1-201(29) [55-1-201 NMSA 1978].

"Rights". Section 1-201(36) [55-1-201 NMSA 1978].

"Security interest". Section 1-201(37) [55-1-201 NMSA 1978].

Effective dates. — Laws 1992, ch. 114, § 238 made Laws 1992, ch. 114, § 86 effective July 1, 1992.