Legal Definitions - permutation

In civil law, a permutation refers to a contract where two parties directly exchange one item or service for another, without involving money as a medium of exchange. It is essentially a form of barter.

• Example 1: Goods for Goods

  A rare book collector possesses a first edition novel that another collector desires. In return, the second collector offers a valuable antique map that the first collector has long sought. They agree to swap the book for the map.

  This situation is a permutation because two tangible goods—the rare book and the antique map—are being directly exchanged between the parties without any monetary transaction.

• Example 2: Services for Services

  A professional photographer needs a new website designed for their portfolio, and a web developer requires high-quality headshots for their professional profile. They enter into an agreement where the photographer will provide a portrait session in exchange for the web developer creating and launching their new website.

  Here, two distinct services are being exchanged directly. The value of the photography service is being offset by the value of the web development service, illustrating a permutation.

• Example 3: Goods for Services

  A small business owner owns a commercial vehicle they no longer need. A mechanic, who is looking for such a vehicle for parts, offers to perform all necessary repairs and maintenance on the business owner's remaining fleet for an entire year in exchange for the vehicle.

  This scenario demonstrates a permutation where a tangible asset (the commercial vehicle) is exchanged for a service (the year-long repair and maintenance contract). No money changes hands to complete this transaction.