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Novation meaning

/nə(ʊ)ˈveɪʃ(ə)n/
What does Novation mean?
In practice, novation is the substitution of one contracting party for another, so the outgoing party is released and an incoming party assumes the same rights and obligations under a new contract. It operates by extinguishing the original contract and creating a new one between the continuing party and the incoming party on substantially the same terms, rather than merely transferring rights or liabilities. Usually documented by a tripartite novation agreement (often a deed). A valid novation requires the consent of all parties. In England & Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, consideration is required at common law and novations are commonly executed as deeds. In Scotland, consideration is not required; standard formation rules apply. Used on outsourcing, business and asset transfers, construction appointments and loan transfers. Its effect is to release the outgoing party from future performance and liability, with the incoming party stepping into its place. Parties should address accrued rights and claims, security and guarantees, and any third-party or regulatory consents. Not defined by statute; its features are recognised in case law and applied consistently across UK and Ireland. Distinguish from assignment/assignation, which transfers rights only and does not release the assignor.
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View the related Checklists about Novation

CHECKLISTS
English law LMA par secondary loan trades: pre-trade due diligence and settlement guide (transfer criteria, RFR/IBOR interest and DSC, KYC, tax, regulatory, sub-participations, BISO)

STOP PRESS The Loan Market Association (LMA) has released refreshed editions of the standard terms and conditions for Par and Distressed Trade Transactions, the complete set of Funded Participation and Risk Participation Agreements, and the Secondary Debt Trading Documentation User Guide, with effect from 17 March 2026. The changes remove LIBOR references, update IBOR rate definitions and the Target2 definition, and revise ERISA representations to incorporate additional exemptions to the prohibited transaction rules under ERISA and the US Internal Revenue Code. The revised documentation is available exclusively to LMA members, accessible via the LMA’s Documentation Hub. These publications are updated versions issued by the LMA. Summary A core principle of trading under the LMA protocol is that ‘Trade is a Trade’; i.e. once a trade is struck—including an oral contract agreed by telephone—it is binding, and subsequent developments, even if adverse to one or both parties, do not entitle either party to cancel or ‘break’ the trade. By way of example, a failure to secure consent for...

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CHECKLISTS
Assignment of building contracts, consultant appointments and collateral warranties: restrictions, consent, legal assignment, notices and when to novate—practitioner checklist (England and Wales)

This Checklist offers a proposed set of key points to weigh up when assessing whether a construction agreement—be that a building contract, a consultant appointment or a collateral warranty—can be assigned. It also sets out the practical steps to be taken to complete an assignment of the benefit of a construction contract from one party to another. Does the construction contract contain assignment provisions? Construction agreements commonly include an explicit clause addressing the parties’ rights to assign under it. Where the contract says nothing about assignment, either side may assign the contract without limitation or constraint. In some cases, the contract will expressly bar assignment by one or both parties. Usually, the employer is not wholly barred from assigning; however, there is often a cap on how many assignments can occur without the other party’s consent (see further on restrictions below). See Practice Note: Assignment in construction contracts. Are there any restrictions on the right to assign? Construction...

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CHECKLISTS
Assigning construction contract benefits: step-by-step flowchart with deed of assignment and notice requirements

This flowchart sets out the steps that can be taken when the benefit of a construction contract is to be transferred from one party to another. Refer to Practice Note: Assignment in construction contracts. For the model deed of assignment mentioned here, see Precedent: Deed of assignment—construction projects, and for a template notice to be served on the other contracting party, consult Precedent: Notice of assignment—construction projects as referenced in this flowchart...

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NEWS
Commercial law weekly: ASA rulings, Meta data dominance claim, waiver/rectification and liability caps, product safety reform, failure to prevent fraud guidance, bill of lading damages, fuel price monitoring

In this issue: Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Consumer protection Contracts Data protection Sale and supply of goods Supplier management LexTalk®Commercial: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers ASA rulings—6 November 2024 The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received two complaints about CurrencyWave and Eurostar. Complainants said CurrencyWave’s ad wrongly implied Financial Conduct Authority regulation and used inaccurate price comparisons. For Eurostar, concerns were that Instagram and Facebook ads overstated the availability of £39 fares and omitted key information. The ASA upheld both. See: LNB News 06/11/2024 51. ASA publishes its Vaping Project Review on vaping ads targeted at under-18s The ASA has issued its Vaping Project Review, detailing outcomes from investigations, tech-assisted monitoring, enforcement, stakeholder engagement and advisory work on ads aimed at under-18s since June 2023. It found influencers, companies, agencies and vaping brands posting paid and organic content, plus brand...

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NEWS
Implied novation despite NOM and termination clauses; estoppel and unreasonable refusal of consent to assignment: Gama Aviation (UK) Ltd v MWWMMWM Ltd [2022] EWHC 1191 (Comm) (England and Wales)

Gama Aviation (UK) Ltd and Another v MWWMMWM Ltd [2022] EWHC 1191 (Comm) What are the practical implications of this case? Key takeaways for practitioners include: NOM clauses: A party’s contractual rights and duties can be altered not only by variation but also by novation or termination. Anyone aiming to prevent such informal changes should adopt wording that makes this intention explicitly clear. contractual rights to terminate: Even where a clause grants a unilateral right to terminate by written notice, this may not stop the contract being discharged by an informal novation; whether it does will turn on the clause’s wording and the surrounding context. on covenants: As only reasons that genuinely influenced a party’s mind can justify the reasonableness of a refusal of consent, a party withholding consent should record its reasons at the time. The decision also supports interpreting such qualifications as rendering the covenants conditional on the covenantee acting reasonably, with the effect that the covenantor will be entitled validly to carry...

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NEWS
First-tier Tribunal in Powell v HMRC: novation of close company director’s loan is a release, triggering s415 ITTOIA dividend charge; s455 repayment claim not determinative

Powell v HMRC [2025] UKFTT 528 (TC) The taxpayer served as director and sole shareholder of T Ltd, a close company, and his director’s loan account with the company was overdrawn, giving rise to a charge on the company under section 455 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 (CTA 2010). In 2020, after a share‑for‑share exchange, T Ltd became a subsidiary of PHSW Ltd, where the taxpayer was also a director at the time. The taxpayer, T Ltd and PHSW Ltd then executed a novation of the outstanding loan account so that T Ltd’s rights were assigned to PHSW Ltd instead. T Ltd released the taxpayer from his obligations to it and PHSW Ltd acquired those rights, thereby becoming the taxpayer’s creditor in his place. The tax paid by T Ltd under CTA 2010, s 455 in respect of the loan was subsequently repaid to the company...

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View the related Practice Notes about Novation

PRACTICE NOTES
Assignments of contractual rights in construction: legal vs equitable, LPA 1925 s136 requirements, security assignments, notice and priority, enforcement and adjudication (England and Wales)

What is an assignment An assignment involves passing a right or interest held by one party (the assignor) to another (the assignee), such as transferring an employer’s rights under a building contract to the buyer of the finished works. In this Practice Note, the party required to perform the contractual obligations is called the 'obligor'. A properly effected assignment allows the assignee to require performance of contractual duties—for instance, to request rectification of defects and/or to commence proceedings. This Practice Note explores the various mechanisms available by which parties may implement an assignment within construction documentation (eg construction contracts, appointments and collateral warranties), together with the consequences of doing so. It also clarifies the practical impact of each method for parties seeking to secure or enforce rights effectively...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Construction novation: CLLS and CIC standard forms compared (ab initio and switch), ‘no loss’ defence, amendments, collateral warranties and net contribution clauses

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews the standard form novation agreements issued by the City of London Law Society (CLLS) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC). Novation is now widespread on construction schemes. It arises in various contexts and has, in particular, become routine on design and build procurements. For more on novation generally, see Practice Note: Novation in construction projects. Parties often adopt their own bespoke novation agreements, so numerous versions circulate. In 2004, two standard forms appeared—one from the CLLS construction committee and one from the CIC. The CIC later released an ‘ab initio’ form in November 2018, and a second edition of the ‘switch’ form in July 2021. Each agreement is a brief, straightforward document that avoids unnecessary provisions, though they adopt different approaches to novating the consultant. They do, however, each tackle the key issues arising from Blyth & Blyth v Carillion, and the ‘no loss’ argument (see Practice Notes: Novation in construction...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Sub-sales and Assignments in Property Transactions: One or Two Transfers, Contract Restrictions, Notices, Completion, Registration, Party Risks, SDLT and VAT (England and Wales)

What is the difference between a sub-sale and an assignment? Sub-sale A sub-sale arises where A agrees to sell a property to B, but before B completes with A, B enters a separate contract to sell that same property on to C. Thus, there are two sale contracts concerning the single property (A–B and B–C). Completion can be achieved by: a single transfer from A straight to C, at B’s direction; or two transfers, first A to B, then B to C. Assignment An assignment occurs where A contracts to sell to B, and B assigns to C the benefit of that contract (but not its burdens). Completion then proceeds by one transfer only, from A to C. Assignment should be distinguished from novation. With a novation, A contracts with B, who then transfers (novates) both rights and obligations to C. This requires A’s consent. The effect is that C steps into B’s shoes, creating a direct contractual relationship...

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View the related Precedents about Novation

PRECEDENTS
General Partnership to LLP Business and Asset Transfer Agreement with TUPE, Contract Assignment and Novation, and Property Transfers (England and Wales)

This Agreement is dated [ insert date ] Parties The individuals named in Schedule 1 (the Partners), trading as [ insert partnership name ] (the Partnership); and [ insert full name of LLP ] LLP, incorporated in England and Wales under number [ insert registered number ] whose registered office is at [ insert address ] (the LLP). Each of the Partners and the LLP is a Party, and together the Partners and the LLP are the Parties. Background The Partners presently conduct the Business as a general partnership under the Business Name and wish to convert that general partnership into a limited liability partnership. Each of the Partners is a member of the LLP and intends to continue the Business through the LLP as a going concern from the Transfer Date...

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PRECEDENTS
Schedule of Employer‑favouring Amendments to JCT Design and Build Contract 2011 (England and Wales): design responsibility, collateral warranties, funder rights, bonds, novation, intellectual property and dispute resolution

ARCHIVED: This Precedent is archived and is not being maintained. The Contract consists of the completed Design and Build Contract 2011 Edition published by the JCT (as amended by Amendment 1: CDM Regulations 2015), and is subject to the following amendments: RECITALS Third Recital Delete and replace with: ‘The Contractor has: reviewed the Site and satisfied himself regarding its measurements, position and other pertinent matters; considered the Employer’s Requirements and is satisfied that the Contractor’s Proposals and Contract Sum Analysis will fulfil the Employer’s Requirements; and accepted responsibility for the whole of the design contained in the Employer’s Requirements and the Contractor’s Proposals.’ ARTICLES Article 1 After ‘shall’ insert ‘carry out and’...

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PRECEDENTS
Asset purchase agreement for business and assets sold by administrators (England and Wales): TUPE, TOGC, contract/lease novation, book debts, apportionments, anti‑embarrassment and administrator liability exclusions

This Agreement is made on [ insert day and month ] 20[ insert year ] Parties [ Insert name of company in administration ] (in administration), being a company incorporated in [ England and Wales OR [ insert country of incorporation ] ], with registered number [ insert company number ], and having its registered office at [ insert address ] (the Seller), acting through its [ joint ] Administrator(s) [ Insert name of administrator(s) ] of [ insert name of firm ], whose registered office is at [ insert address of firm ] (the Administrator(s)) [ insert name of purchasing corporate entity ], a company duly incorporated in [ England and Wales OR [ insert country of incorporation ] ], with registered number [ insert company number ], and with its registered office address at [ insert address ] (the Buyer); and each of the Seller Administrator(s) and the Buyer being a Party, and together the Seller Administrator(s) and the Buyer being the...

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View the related Q&As about Novation

Q&As
TUPE: Can a transferee continue a pending disciplinary process?

The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE 2006), SI 2006/246, reg 4 Where a relevant transfer occurs under these provisions, there is a novation imposed by statute of the contracts of employment of the staff who transfer; the incoming employer stands in the place of the outgoing employer, and each employment contract continues after the transfer as if it had been originally concluded between the employee and the transferee throughout for all relevant legal purposes thereafter...

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