General legal information about contract terms in the UK, not legal advice.
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Assignment

Assignment is the transfer of contractual rights, such as the right to be paid, from one party to someone else. Obligations cannot be transferred by assignment alone — that needs a novation with everyone's consent.

Prepared by a retired English qualified solicitor (LLB, LLM) · reviewed · applies across the UK unless stated · how we draft

In more detail

Most commercial contracts restrict assignment without the other party's consent, so each party knows who it is dealing with.

In Scotland

In Scotland the equivalent term is assignation. Since the Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Act 2023, an assignation of claims can be made effective by registration rather than only by notice to the debtor.

Put it into a contract

Be Contract Wise provides very powerful, carefully prepared tools to draft and review simple or complex contracts under the law of England and Wales or Scots law, explaining every clause in plain English.

England & Wales appScotland app

Reviewed 2026-09-24. General legal information, not legal advice.