LAW OF OBLIGATION ACT, CHAPTER 9, DIVISION 2

Division 2

Transfer of Obligations

  • 175. Assumption of obligation

(1) A third party may assume the obligation of an obligor on the basis of a contract entered into with the obligee whereby the third party assumes the position of the original obligor.

(2) A third party may also assume the obligation of an obligor on the basis of a contract entered into with the obligor, but the obligation transfers only on the condition that the obligee consents to such transfer.

(3) If an obligor has entered into a contract with a third party for the assumption of an obligation, the obligor or the third party may make a proposal to the obligee to give notice within the term set by the obligee as to whether the obligee consents to the transfer of the obligation. If the obligee does not grant consent within such term, the obligee is deemed to have refused to grant consent.

(4) If a third party assumes an obligation on the basis of a contract entered into with the obligor and the obligee has not yet granted consent or refuses such consent, the obligor is deemed to have the right to require timely satisfaction of the obligee’s claim from the transferee of the obligation. If the obligee refuses to grant consent to the assumption of the obligation, the obligor may require the transferee of the obligation to secure performance of the contract on the basis of which the obligation is assumed.

(5) If an obligee has granted advance consent to the assumption of an obligation, the obligation is deemed to have been assumed by entry into the contract for the assumption of the obligation and notification of the obligee of the entry into the contract. An obligee shall not revoke advance consent unless the obligee has reserved the corresponding right upon granting the consent.

(6) If a person acquires an immovable and, by an agreement with the transferor, assumes the transferor’s obligation secured by a mortgage over the immovable, the transferor shall give written notice of the assumption of the obligation to the obligee after the new owner has been entered in the land register. If the obligee does not refuse to grant consent to the assumption of the obligation within three months as of receipt of the notice, the obligee is deemed to have granted consent. After the obligee has granted or refused to grant consent to the assumption of the obligation, the transferor of the immovable shall notify the transferee of the grant or refusal to grant consent.

(7) [Repealed – RT I 2003, 78, 523 – entry into force 27.12.2003]

(8) If one and the same obligation transfers to several persons, the persons are presumed to be jointly and severally liable for the performance of the obligation.

  • 176. Defences of transferee of obligation

(1) In addition to the defences which the transferee of an obligation has against the obligee, the transferee may set up such defences against the claim of the obligee which arise from the legal relationship between the obligee and the original obligor, except the defences which the original obligor personally has against the obligee. Also, the transferee shall not set off the claim of the original obligor against the claim of the obligee.

(2) The transferee of an obligation shall not set up such defences against the claim of the obligee which the transferee has against the original obligor pursuant to the legal relationship on which the assumption of the obligation is based.

(3) If an obligation is assumed with the consent of the obligee on the basis of a contract entered into with the obligor, the transferee of the obligation may set up defences arising from the invalidity of the assumption of the obligation against the obligee only if the obligee was or should have been aware of the reason for such invalidity upon granting the consent.

  • 177. Accessory obligations and security upon assumption of obligation

(1) Upon assumption of an obligation, accessory obligations related to the claim shall transfer to the new obligor unless they are of a personal nature or inseparably bound to the person of the original obligor for any other reason. The obligation to pay the interest and contractual penalties agreed upon transfers to the new obligor even if these fall due after the assumption of the obligation.

(2) Upon assumption of an obligation, the security given for and related to the obligation shall terminate. If security given for the performance of the obligation is not related to the obligation, the security shall be returned to the person who provided the security pursuant to the agreement on the basis of which the security was provided.

(3) The provisions of subsection (2) of this section do not apply if the person who provided security consents to be liable for the performance of the obligation by the new obligor.

  • 178. Joining in obligation

(1) An obligation may also be assumed by a third party joining in the obligation as a new obligor in addition to the original obligor (joining in obligation).

(2) A third party may enter into an agreement joining in an obligation with the obligee or the obligor.

(3) If a person joins in an obligation in order to secure the claim of the obligee, the formalities provided for in § 144 of this Act apply mutatis mutandis.

(4) Joining in an obligation creates solidary obligation. If a person joins in an obligation in order to secure the claim of the obligee, the provisions of §§ 145, 149 and 152 of this Act also apply.

Disclaimer:

The information contains in this web-site is prepared for educational purpose. This site may be used by the students, faculties, independent learners and the learned advocates of all over the world. Researchers all over the world have the access to upload their writes up in this site. In consideration of the people’s participation in the Web Page, the individual, group, organization, business, spectator, or other, does hereby release and forever discharge the Lawyers & Jurists, and its officers, board, and employees, jointly and severally from any and all actions, causes of actions, claims and demands for, upon or by reason of any damage, loss or injury, which hereafter may be sustained by participating their work in the Web Page. This release extends and applies to, and also covers and includes, all unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated and unsuspected injuries, damages, loss and liability and the consequences thereof, as well as those now disclosed and known to exist.  The provisions of any state’s law providing substance that releases shall not extend to claims, demands, injuries, or damages which are known or unsuspected to exist at this time, to the person executing such release, are hereby expressly waived. However the Lawyers & Jurists makes no warranty expressed or implied or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process disclosed or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product process or service by trade name, trade mark, manufacturer or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favouring by the Lawyers & Jurists. The views and opinions of the authors expressed in the Web site do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Lawyers & Jurists. Above all, if there is any complaint drop by any independent user to the admin for any contents of this site, the Lawyers & Jurists would remove this immediately from its site.