General legal information about contract terms in the UK, not legal advice.
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Third-party rights

Third-party rights let someone who is not a party to a contract enforce a term that benefits them. Many contracts exclude them so that only the parties can enforce the contract.

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

In more detail

In England and Wales, third-party rights arise under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

In Scotland

In Scotland, third-party rights arise under the Contract (Third Party Rights) (Scotland) Act 2017.

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.