I.   Introductory Provisions

A Voucher is a written or printed Instrument that establishes the authenticity of a valid claim, or demand, or bond and the transaction itself, concerning some goods, or property associated with a Trust, or Estate or Fund to be delivered under certain conditions.

The legal concept of  Voucher comes from Anglaise (Old French) voucher meaning “to call; to claim; to demand” in accord with 8th Century Sacred Law by the Carolingians whereby each Party to an agreement would furnish a Voucher to the other Party as valid proof of a particular transaction and the conditions for its conclusion, or acquittance or release or acceptance. Depending upon the agreed conditions, the production of a valid Voucher could then be used to redeem certain goods or services or property, or demand payment in kind, or prove that all accounts were settled.

The word Voucher comes from the Latin word vocare meaning “I call, summon, invoke, name, designate; I put or bring into a state or condition”.

The following are the essential elements associated with any valid Voucher as defined from the beginning of Sacred Law under the Carolingians in the 8th Century and the invention of the concept of Voucher:

(i) A Voucher is in essence valid proof and intent of one Party in relation to a certain action and transaction and agreement; and

(ii) Vouchers by their design in law always come in at least pairs or more (if more than 2 Parties) associated with the individual action of a Party to a Transaction. It is a dishonor for a Party not to produce a Voucher for the other Party at the appropriate Transaction; and

(iii) Vouchers by their design are meant to be Exchanged with the other Party (of Parties) of an agreement and Transaction. It is a dishonor for a Party not to produce and exchange a Voucher for the other Party at the appropriate Transaction; and

(iv) Vouchers by their design match up at different stages of transactions of an agreement. For example, a Purchase Request matches a Purchase Order; and a Bill of Particulars matches an Order for Payment; and an Acceptance of Bill matches an Acceptance of Payment; and a Receipt of Delivery matches a Receipt of Payment.

In terms of Accounts, Vouchers by tradition provide primary proof of the validity of an entry and therefore when being issued should possess a unique number associated with a particular Register and when received then possessing a unique number from the Accounts of the other Party for reference.

The key elements of the physical Voucher itself by tradition are:

(i) The Voucher is on quality parchment or paper that will last; and

(ii) The Voucher is printed or written with permanent ink that will not fade; and

(iii) The issuer of the Voucher is clearly identified; and

(iv) The unique Register number of the Voucher is clearly identified; and

(v) The particulars of the Voucher are clearly identified and by what authority a payment has been made and serving as evidence of payment or discharge of a debit, or the right to redeem a transaction or goods of certain value; and

(vi) Any amount is expressed in Words as well as numeric symbols; and

(vii) The date of issue is clearly stated; and

(viii) Whether or not the Voucher itself is negotiable or redeemable or other limits is clearly stated; and

(ix) The Voucher is duly sealed, or signed or authorized.

The use of poor quality parchment or paper and poor quality inks that deliberately fade or cause the breakdown of Vouchers is immoral, a fraud and contrary to the ecclesiastical and historic principles of a valid Voucher.