A Deed of Novation is a formal agreement that allows for the transfer of ‘obligations and benefits’ from one party to another. This document is crucial in situations where parties seek to change the original terms of a contract, transferring the rights and duties to a third party while releasing the original party from their commitments. The Deed of Novation is a critical tool in corporate and commercial law, ensuring that transitions are smooth and legally binding.
The process begins when three parties agree to novate the contract: the original party wishing to transfer their obligations (Transferor), the party assuming the obligations (Transferee), and the other original party to the contract whose consent is necessary for the novation to occur (Continuing Party). The Deed of Novation outlines the transfer of responsibilities, rights, and benefits from the Transferor to the Transferee, with the Continuing Party’s agreement, effectively replacing the original contract with a new one.