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NOVATION

This article is on the legal term. For the keyboard company, see Novation Digital Music Systems; for the former modem manufacturer, see Novation CAT.
Contract Law
Part of the common law series
Contract theory
Contract formation
Offer and acceptance  · Mailbox rule
Mirror image rule  · Invitation to treat
Consideration
Defenses against formation
Lack of capacity to contract
Duress  · Undue influence
Illusory promise  · Statute of frauds
Non est factum
Contract interpretation
Parol evidence rule
Contract of adhesion
Integration clause
Contra proferentem
Excuses for non-performance
Mistake  · Misrepresentation
Frustration of purpose  · Impossibility
Unclean hands  · Unconscionability
Illegality  · Accord and satisfaction
Rights of third parties
Privity of contract
Assignment  · Delegation
Novation  · Third party beneficiary
Breach of contract
Anticipatory repudiation  · Cover
Exclusion clause
Fundamental breach
Remedies
Specific performance
Liquidated damages
Penal damages  · Rescission
Quasi-contractual obligations
Promissory estoppel
Quantum meruit
Subsets: Conflict of law
Commercial law
Other areas of the common law
Tort law  · Property law
Wills and trusts
Criminal law  · Evidence

Novation is a term used in contract law and business law to describe the act of either replacing an obligation to perform with a new obligation, or replacing a party to an agreement with a new party. A novation must be agreed upon by all original parties to the original agreement. Furthermore, a contract transferred by the novation process transfers all rights and obligations from the original owner to the new owner.

Novation is also used in futures/options trading markets to describe a special situation where the clearing house takes all positions with all the brokers, buying all the brokers sell, and selling all that the brokers buy.

In business, novation is typically the process by which a newly formed corporation assumes the pre-incorporation liabilities incurred by its founders.