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Deeds of assignment - what claims are you really buying?

Global Corporate Limited v Dirk Stefan Hale [2017] EWHC 2277 (Ch) 

A recent judgment re-iterates the importance of carefully drafting a deed of assignment when assigning claims.

In Global Corporate , the liquidators of a company assigned certain claims by way of a deed of assignment to Global Corporate Limited (the “ Assignee ”). The Assignee (the Applicant in this case) then brought several claims against the company’s former director and shareholder.

Two of the Assignee’s claims were dismissed because, as the High Court held, only the claims expressly set out in in the transfer documentation were transferred to the Assignee. As the other claims had not been provided for in the deed of assignment, they failed for lack of standing.

Powerstation UK Ltd (the “Company”) entered liquidation in November 2015 and liquidators were appointed.

The liquidators identified various claims against a former director of the Company. The claims related to payments to the former director which, in the liquidators’ view, constituted an unlawful dividend or, in the alternative, a transaction at an undervalue.

The Assignee agreed to purchase the claims from the liquidators. The assignment of claims was recorded in a deed of assignment dated 25 August 2016 between the liquidators and the Assignee (the “ Deed ”). Under the terms of the Deed, the liquidators assigned the ‘claim’. ‘Claim’ was defined as (emphasis added) “a potential debt to the company comprising alleged illegal dividends and/or transactions at an undervalue ”.

The Assignee subsequently brought claims against the former director on the basis that the payments to him constituted either:

• unlawful dividends;
• a transaction at an undervalue;
• a preference; or
• misfeasance.

On the unlawful dividends claim, the judge, His Honour Judge Matthews, concluded that the Company’s articles did not allow the former director to declare provisional dividends capable of being subsequently re-categorised (which the judge found was the nature of the payments made to the former director). Therefore, whatever the payments were, they were not dividends and so could not be unlawful. This removed the Assignee’s prospects of seeking recovery of unlawful dividends pursuant to section 847 of the Companies Act 2006.

The transaction at an undervalue claim failed on the basis that sufficient consideration had been given.

On the remaining claims (misfeasance and preference), HHJ Matthews said that the Assignee did not have standing as the Deed did not mention these claims.

At para 45 HHJ Matthews said, in respect of the misfeasance claim:

‘There is some difficulty here with the applicant’s title to sue, since the deed of assignment did not on its face extend to any claim in respect of director’s misfeasance.'

At para 66 HHJ Matthews noted that, as regards the preference claim:

‘The applicant is not an assignee of any claim of the company or the liquidators in respect of a preference...The first reference to a claim to set aside a preference that I have been able to find in the documents comes out in the application notice of 12 September 2016... But this cannot operate so as to confer on the applicant a title to sue that he otherwise would not have.’

HHJ Matthews emphasised that a preference claim could not be implied into the Deed due to the material differences between a transaction at an undervalue and a preference. If the Assignee wanted to acquire a right to bring a preference claim, the Deed should have expressly mentioned it.

At para 67 HHJ Matthews commented that:

‘A preference is not the same as a transaction at an undervalue, and neither is there necessarily an example of the former every time there is the latter. If the applicant wished to take an assignment of the claim to set aside a preference, it should have drafted the deed of 25 August 2016 so as to achieve this end.’

Finally, the court held that while the liquidators of the Company did retain the right to bring a claim to set aside a preference, they were not parties to the application and an effective order could therefore not be made.

Consequences

This case highlights the importance of thoroughly reviewing the deed of assignment where claims are being acquired.

Only those rights of action expressly mentioned in a deed of assignment will be transferred to the assignee. The court will not allow an assignee to bring an action which has not been included in the wording of the assignment. Further, the court will not imply alternative causes of action into deeds of assignment where those actions have material differences from those actually transferred.

Filed under

• United Kingdom
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Charles Russell Speechlys
• Liquidation
• Companies Act 2006 (UK)
• High Court of Justice (England & Wales)

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Deed of Assignment or Deed of Novation: Key Differences and Legal Implications of Novation and Assignment Contracts

• FACT-CHECKED

Introduction

Novation and assignment stand out as pivotal processes for the transfer of contractual rights and obligations. These legal concepts allow a party to the contract to adapt to changing circumstances, ensuring that business arrangements remain relevant and effective. This article explores the nuances of novation and assignment, shedding light on their distinct legal implications, procedures, and practical applications. Whether you’re a business owner navigating the transfer of service contracts, or an individual looking to understand your rights and responsibilities in a contractual relationship, or a key stakeholder in a construction contract, this guide will equip you with the essential knowledge to navigate these complex legal processes.

What is a Deed of Novation?

Novation is a legal process that allows a new party to a contract to take the place of an original party in a contract, thereby transferring both the responsibilities and benefits under the contract to a third party. In common law, transferring contractual obligations through novation requires the agreement of all original parties involved in the contract, as well as the new party. This is because novation effectively terminates the original contract and establishes a new one.

A novation clause typically specifies that a contract cannot be novated without the written consent of the current parties. The inclusion of such a clause aims to preclude the possibility of novation based on verbal consent or inferred from the actions of a continuing party. Nevertheless, courts will assess the actual events that transpired, and a novation clause may not always be enforceable. It’s possible for a novation clause to allow for future novation by one party acting alone to a party of their choosing. Courts will enforce a novation carried out in this manner if it is sanctioned by the correct interpretation of the original contract.

Novation is frequently encountered in business and contract law, offering a means for parties to transfer their contractual rights and duties to another, which can be useful if the original party cannot meet their obligations or wishes to transfer their contract rights. For novation to occur, there must be unanimous consent for the substitution of the new party for the original one, necessitating a three-way agreement among the original party, the new party, and the remaining contract party. Moreover, the novation agreement must be documented in writing and signed by all involved parties. Understanding novation is essential in the realms of contracts and business dealings, as it provides a way for parties to delegate their contractual rights and responsibilities while freeing themselves from the original agreement.

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What is a Deed of Assignment?

A deed of assignment is a legal document that facilitates the transfer of a specific right or benefit from one party (the assignor) to another (the assignee). This process allows the assignee to step into the assignor’s position, taking over both the rights and obligations under the original contract. In construction, this might occur when a main contractor assigns rights under a subcontract to the employer, allowing the employer to enforce specific subcontractor duties directly if the contractor fails.

Key aspects of an assignment include:

• Continuation of the Original Contract: The initial agreement remains valid and enforceable, despite the transfer of rights or benefits.
• Assumption of Rights and Obligations: The assignee assumes the role of the assignor, adopting all associated rights and responsibilities as outlined in the original contract.
• Requirement for Written Form: The assignment must be documented in writing, signed by the assignor, and officially communicated to the obligor (the party obligated under the contract).
• Subject to Terms and Law: The ability to assign rights or benefits is governed by the specific terms of the contract and relevant legal statutes.

At common law, parties generally have the right to assign their contractual rights without needing consent from the other party involved in the contract. However, this does not apply if the rights are inherently personal or if the contract includes an assignment clause that restricts or modifies this general right. Many contracts contain a provision requiring the consent of the other party for an assignment to occur, ensuring that rights are not transferred without the other party’s knowledge.

Once an assignment of rights is made, the assignee gains the right to benefit from the contract and can initiate legal proceedings to enforce these rights. This enforcement can be done either independently or alongside the assignor, depending on whether the assignment is legal or equitable. It’s important to note that while rights under the contract can be assigned, the contractual obligations or burdens cannot be transferred in this manner. Therefore, the assignor remains liable for any obligations under the contract that are not yet fulfilled at the time of the assignment.

Key Differences Between Novation and Assignment Deeds

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Choosing Between Assignment and Novation in a Construction Contract

Choosing between a deed of novation and an assignment agreement depends on the specific circumstances and objectives of the parties involved in a contract. Both options serve to transfer rights and obligations but in fundamentally different ways, each with its own legal implications, risks, and benefits. Understanding these differences and considering various factors can help in making an informed decision that aligns with your goals.

Need a Deed of Novation or Assignment? Key Factors to Consider

The choice between assignment and novation in a construction project scenario, where, for instance, an employer wishes to engage a subcontractor directly due to loss of confidence in the main contractor, hinges on several factors. These are:

• Nature of the Contract:  The type of contract you’re dealing with (e.g., service, sales) can influence which option is more suitable. For instance, novation might be preferred for service contracts where obligations are personal and specific to the original parties.
• Parties Involved: Consent is a key factor. Novation requires the agreement of all original and new parties, making it a viable option only when such consent is attainable. Assignment might be more feasible if obtaining consent from all parties poses a challenge.
• Complexity of the Transaction: For transactions involving multiple parties and obligations, novation could be more appropriate as it ensures a clean transfer of all rights and obligations. Assignment might leave the original party with ongoing responsibilities.
• Time and Cost: Consider the practical aspects, such as the time and financial cost associated with each option. Novation typically involves more complex legal processes and might be more time-consuming and costly than an assignment.

If the intention is merely to transfer the rights of the subcontractor’s work to the employer without altering the subcontractor’s obligations under a contract, an assignment might suffice. However, if the goal is to completely transfer the main contractor’s contractual role and obligations to the employer or another entity, novation would be necessary, ensuring that all parties consent to this new arrangement and the original contractor is released from their obligations.

The legal interpretations and court decisions highlight the importance of the document’s substance over its label. Even if a document is titled a “Deed of Assignment,” it could function as a novation if it transfers obligations and responsibilities and involves the consent of all parties. The key is to clearly understand and define the objective behind changing the contractual relationships and to use a deed — assignment or novation — that best achieves the desired legal and practical outcomes, ensuring the continuity and successful completion of the construction project.

Selecting the Right Assignment Clause for Your Contract – Helping You Make the Right Choice

Understanding the distinction between assignment deeds and novation deeds is crucial for anyone involved in contractual agreements. Novation offers a clean slate by transferring both rights and obligations to a new party, requiring the consent of all involved. Assignment, conversely, allows for the transfer of contractual benefits without altering the original contract’s obligations. Each method serves different strategic purposes, from simplifying transitions to preserving original contractual duties. The choice between novation and assignment hinges on specific legal, financial, and practical considerations unique to each situation. At PBL Law Group, we specialise in providing comprehensive legal advice and support in contract law. Our team is dedicated to helping clients understand their options and make informed decisions that align with their legal and business objectives. Let’s discuss!

Authored By Raea Khan

Director Lawyer, PBL Law Group

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