united-kingdom contract-law
Requirements for assignment of debt or benefits of contract to a third party, in UK law
<p>My question is, what is required under UK law to assign the benefit of a debt or small contract, to a third party. Although it relates to an actual dispute, the question itself is simply about legal process and facts of law - no advice is sought or needed beyond that posed in the question.  Therefore I am also abstracting the question completely, to make it as widely applicable as possible.</p>

<h1>Question</h1>

<p>A, B and C are private UK based individuals.</p>

<p>A is due money under a contract with B.  A has performed their part of the contract so the only contractual matter outstanding is A receiving their money from B.  For personal reasons, A now wishes their friend C to become the sole beneficiary thenceforce, so that C can claim from B the monies or any other contractual benefits previously due to A, or if needed, C can sue B for their non-payment/non-delivery (if that happens). </p>

<p>The motive for this is partly, that C will give A a sum of money, and will subsequently have full rights to receive, collect and enforce the debt owed by B in exchange.</p>

<p>Can A and C enter into such an agreement of assignment without seeking B's consent, and what form must such an agreement take to be legally binding?</p>

<p><em><strong>Note:</strong>  It is assumed that the contract does not explicitly forbid this, nor is the contract related to real property or a lease/tenancy, or a business.  The debt/benefit is small, under £500 in value, and relates to a deposit that A previously paid B and which B now must repay to A.</em></p>

<h2>A can <a href="https://www.ags.gov.au/publications/commercial-notes/CN39.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">assign</a> their rights to C</h2>

<p>This can be done by deed or contract between A and C and does not require B’s permission. A still retains its obligations to B.</p>
