Legal Definitions - assign

To assign means to formally transfer a right, a piece of property, or a benefit from one party to another. The party making the transfer is called the assignor, and the party receiving the transfer is called the assignee.

This concept is fundamental in both contract law and property law, allowing for flexibility in how obligations and ownership are managed.

In Contract Law

When a contract is assigned, it typically involves both the transfer of rights (what one is entitled to receive) and the delegation of duties (what one is obligated to perform) under that contract. However, some duties, especially those requiring unique personal skill or expertise, cannot be delegated without the other party's consent.

• Example 1: Business Contract Transfer

  Imagine "TechSolutions Inc." (the assignor) has a two-year contract with "Global Widgets Corp." (the obligor) to provide monthly IT maintenance services for a fixed fee. TechSolutions Inc. decides to sell its IT maintenance division to "SecureNet Services" (the assignee) to focus on software development. With Global Widgets Corp.'s consent, TechSolutions Inc. assigns the entire maintenance contract to SecureNet Services.

  How it illustrates "assign": TechSolutions Inc. transfers its right to receive monthly payments from Global Widgets Corp. and delegates its duty to provide IT maintenance services to SecureNet Services. Now, SecureNet Services will perform the IT maintenance for Global Widgets Corp. and receive the payments directly, stepping into TechSolutions Inc.'s original role under the contract.

In Property Law

In property law, particularly with leases, an assignment means transferring the entire remaining term of a lease from the original tenant (assignor) to a new tenant (assignee). The assignee then takes on all the rights and responsibilities of the original tenant directly with the landlord.

• Example 2: Commercial Lease Transfer

  "Bistro Bites" (the assignor) holds a five-year commercial lease for a restaurant space, with three years remaining on the lease term. The owner of Bistro Bites decides to retire and sells the business, including the leasehold interest, to "Gourmet Grub LLC" (the assignee). With the landlord's approval, Bistro Bites assigns the entire remaining three years of the lease to Gourmet Grub LLC.

  How it illustrates "assign": Bistro Bites transfers all its rights and responsibilities under the original lease agreement for the full remaining three-year term to Gourmet Grub LLC. Gourmet Grub LLC now becomes the direct tenant of the landlord, responsible for rent and all other lease obligations, and Bistro Bites no longer has any direct interest in the property.