Assignment

Definizione

Assignment is the transfer of contractual rights (and sometimes the whole position) to a third party. Contracts often restrict assignment, requiring the other party's consent so they are not landed with an unknown counterparty. Dutch law distinguishes the assignment of a claim (cessie) under article 3:94 from the transfer of an entire contractual position (contractsoverneming) under article 6:159, which needs the other party's cooperation.

Esempio

A supplier wishes to assign its right to receive payment to a factoring company; the contract requires the customer's prior written consent.

Perché rappresenta un rischio aziendale

Unexpected assignment can expose a business to dealing with an unknown third party. A supplier that assigns its receivables to a factor means you now owe money to a financial institution, not your commercial partner. Equally, a prohibition on assignment without consent can block a corporate restructuring if contracts are not reviewed in advance.

Come gestirlo

• Include a no-assignment clause if you need to control who your contractual counterparty is; include a carve-out for intra-group transfers if relevant.
• Before a corporate restructuring, audit contracts for assignment restrictions so you can seek consents or restructure around restrictions in advance.
• If you are assigning rights, notify the counterparty promptly and in the correct form required by the contract.

Riferimenti normativi

• BW 3:94 Dutch Civil Code: assignment of claims Diritto olandese
• BW 6:159 Dutch Civil Code: transfer of contract Diritto olandese

Salvo diversa indicazione, i riferimenti riguardano il diritto olandese (Burgerlijk Wetboek, il Codice Civile olandese); gli strumenti UE come il GDPR si applicano in tutta l'UE. Si tratta di informazioni generali, non di consulenza legale. Altre giurisdizioni trattano questi concetti in modo diverso. Verifichi il testo vigente e la propria situazione con un avvocato qualificato.