2012 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
Title 13 - COMMERCIAL CODE
Chapter 33 - Enforcement of Instruments
Section 3308 - Proof of signatures and status as holder in due course

     § 3308.  Proof of signatures and status as holder in due course.
        (a)  Proof of signatures.--In an action with respect to an
     instrument, the authenticity of, and authority to make, each
     signature on the instrument is admitted unless specifically
     denied in the pleadings. If the validity of a signature is
     denied in the pleadings, the burden of establishing validity is
     on the person claiming validity, but the signature is presumed
     to be authentic and authorized unless the action is to enforce
     the liability of the purported signer and the signer is dead or
     incompetent at the time of trial of the issue of validity of the
     signature. If an action to enforce the instrument is brought
     against a person as the undisclosed principal of a person who
     signed the instrument as a party to the instrument, the
     plaintiff has the burden of establishing that the defendant is
     liable on the instrument as a represented person under section
     3402(a) (relating to signature by representative).
        (b)  Status as holder in due course.--If the validity of
     signatures is admitted or proved and there is compliance with
     subsection (a), a plaintiff producing the instrument is entitled
     to payment if the plaintiff proves entitlement to enforce the
     instrument under section 3301 (relating to person entitled to
     enforce instrument), unless the defendant proves a defense or
     claim in recoupment. If a defense or claim in recoupment is
     proved, the right to payment of the plaintiff is subject to the
     defense or claim, except to the extent the plaintiff proves that
     the plaintiff has rights of a holder in due course which are not
     subject to the defense or claim.

        Cross References.  Section 3308 is referred to in section
     3309 of this title.