Cession

The term cession generally refers to the transfer of rights or obligations from one party to another. This concept is more commonly encountered in the context of contract law and insurance rather than being a standard construction industry term, however, it can still be relevant in certain construction scenarios:

• Cession can involve the assignment of rights under a construction contract. For example, a contractor may cede (assign) their right to receive payment from a client to a third party, such as a financial institution, in return for immediate financing.
• Although less common, cession can also involve the transfer of obligations. For instance, if a contractor is unable to fulfill their obligations, they might seek to transfer these obligations to another contractor, though this usually requires the consent of the client and is governed by the terms of the original contract.
• In the context of construction insurance, cession refers to the process whereby an insurance company cedes part of its risk to a reinsurance company. This is not directly a construction-specific term but can be relevant to contractors and clients who hold large or complex insurance policies.
• Cession can occur when the rights under a warranty or guarantee are transferred. For example, if a building is sold, the seller might cede the rights to enforce construction warranties to the new owner.

In each of these cases, the key aspect of cession is the transfer of rights or obligations from one party to another, often requiring formal agreements and sometimes the consent of the party from whom the original rights or obligations stem.

It's important to consult specific contract terms and legal advice when dealing with cession, as the implications and requirements can vary depending on the nature of the construction project and the contractual relationships involved.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Appointing consultants.
• Assignment.
• Collateral warranties.
• Consultant switch.
• Difference between assignment and novation.
• Joinder.
• Privity of contract.
• The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act.