Assignment (Law)

An assignment (Latin cessio) is a term used with similar meanings in the law of contracts and in the law of real estate. In both instances, it encompasses the transfer of rights held by one party—the assignor—to another party—the assignee.[1] The details of the assignment determines some additional rights and liabilities (or duties).

Typically a third-party is involved in a contract with the assignor, and the contract is in effect transferred to the assignee. For example, a borrower borrows money from a local bank. The local bank receives a mortgage note and can thereafter transfer that note to a financial institution in exchange for a lump-sum of cash, thereby assigning the right to receive payment from the borrower to another entity. Mortgages and lending contracts are relatively amenable to assignment since the lendor's duties are relatively limited; other contracts which involve personal duties such as legal counsel may not be assignable.

The related concept of novation is not assignment; rather than assigning only the rights to another party, novation involves the replacement of the original party with a new party or the replacement of the original contract with a new contract. Since novation creates a new contract, it requires the consent of all parties whereas assignment does not require the consent of the nonassigning party, although in the case of assignment the consent of the nonassigning party may be required through a contractual provision.[2]

Contents

1 Procedure

2 Liabilities and duties

3 Assignment of contract rights

3.1 When assignment will be permitted

3.2 Requirements for an effective assignment

3.2.1 Requirement of a writing

3.3 Compare: Delegation

4 Remedies

4.1 Revocability

4.2 Breach and defenses

4.3 Successive assignments

5 Special rules for assignment of certain rights

5.1 Property rights

5.2 Partnership rights...