Section 1 of The Bills of Lading Act 2025 Short title and commencement
Original Section Text
(2) It shall come into force on such dateas the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
Visual Summary
Act Title
Gives the law its official name: The Bills of Lading Act, 2025.
Effective Date
The government decides and announces the date when the law starts.
Executive Summary
This initial section serves two simple but essential purposes. First, it officially names the law as ‘The Bills of Lading Act, 2025’. Second, it states that the law will not be active immediately upon passing. Instead, the Central Government will decide on a future date for it to come into effect and will announce this date publicly in the Official Gazette.
In-Depth Analysis of the Section
Introduction
Section 1 is the formal starting point of the Act, handling the basic but crucial details of its identity and activation. It’s the ‘birth announcement’ of the legislation, providing its name and explaining how it will come to life.
Breakdown of the Section
This section is divided into two clear parts:
- (1) Short title: This clause gives the Act its official name. From this point on, whenever legal documents or courts refer to ‘The Bills of Lading Act, 2025’, they are referring to this specific set of rules.
- (2) Commencement: This clause explains that the Act is not self-starting. The power to activate it lies with the Central Government. The government will issue a formal ‘notification’ in the ‘Official Gazette’ (a public journal for official announcements) to declare the exact date the law becomes operational. This allows the government to prepare for the implementation of the new rules.
Practical Example
Imagine Parliament passes this Act on July 24, 2025. The rules of the Act are not yet binding. The government might need time to train officials or inform shipping companies. Later, on September 8, 2025, the government publishes a notification in the Official Gazette stating that the Act will commence on September 10, 2025. From September 10th onwards, all bills of lading and shipping contracts must follow the rules laid out in this Act.
Conclusion
In essence, Section 1 sets the stage. It provides a clear name for easy reference and a flexible start date, ensuring that the transition to the new legal framework is orderly and well-managed by the government.
Related Provisions
Understanding Section 1 is the first step. To see what this Act actually does, it’s helpful to look at the following sections:
- Section 2: Rights under bills of lading to vest in consignee or endorsee – This explains the core purpose of the Act that will commence based on Section 1’s notification.
- Section 6: Repeal and savings – This section details which old law is being replaced when this new Act commences.
Learning Aids
Mnemonics
- Remember ‘T&D’ for Section 1: It sets the Title and the Date of commencement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official name of this law?
The official name is ‘The Bills of Lading Act, 2025’.
Does this law start working immediately after being passed?
No, it only comes into force on a date that the Central Government officially announces in the Official Gazette.
Test Your Knowledge
Quiz: What is the primary purpose of Section 1(1)?
A) To explain the powers of the government.
B) To set the official name of the Act.
C) To define a ‘bill of lading’.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B) This subsection provides the ‘short title’ or the official name for the legislation.
Quiz: Who has the authority to decide when this Act will start?
A) The President of India.
B) The Supreme Court.
C) The Central Government.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C) Section 1(2) explicitly states that the Central Government will appoint the date by notification.