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CHAPTER V RIGHTS OF UNPAID SELLER AGAINST THE GOODS · Transfer by buyer and seller

Section 54: Sale not generally rescinded by lien or stoppage in transit

The Sale of Goods Act, 1930

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a contract of sale is not rescinded by the mere exercise by an unpaid seller of his right of lien or stoppage in transit.

(2) Where the goods are of a perishable nature, or where the unpaid seller who has exercised his right of lien or stoppage in transit gives notice to the buyer of his intention to re-sell, the unpaid seller may, if the buyer does not within a reasonable time pay or tender the price, re-sell the goods within a reasonable time and recover from the original buyer damages for any loss occasioned by his breach of contract, but the buyer shall not be entitled to any profit which may occur on the re-sale. If such notice is not given, the unpaid seller shall not be entitled to recover such damages and the buyer shall be entitled to the profit, if any, on the re-sale.

(3) Where an unpaid seller who has exercised his right of lien or stoppage in transit re-sells the goods, the buyer acquires a good title thereto as against the original buyer, notwithstanding that no notice of the re-sale has been given to the original buyer.

(4) Where the seller expressly reserves a right of re-sale in case the buyer should make default, and, on the buyer making default, re-sells the goods, the original contract of sale is thereby rescinded, but without prejudice to any claim which the seller may have for damages.

Questions on this section

1 question in 5 of our papers cite Section 54. Try these from the free papers:

  1. 1. S, an unpaid seller of 50 bales of jute, which are not perishable, exercises his lien. Without giving B any notice of his intention to re-sell, S re-sells the bales to C at a price lower than the contract price. Under Section 54 of the Sale of Goods Act, 1930:

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