nonassignable

Nonassignable is an adjective used in legal and commercial contexts to describe rights, contracts, or benefits that cannot be transferred to another party without consent or by operation of law.

In contract law, assignment transfers existing rights to another party. A nonassignable contract or right forbids such transfer, typically via an express clause or statutory rule. When a right is nonassignable, an attempted transfer may be void, or the obligor may be released from performance if the assignment would alter essential terms.

Common examples include personal service contracts (where the performance depends on the specific person), certain licenses or professional certifications that require ongoing personal involvement, and government or employee benefits that are nontransferable. Some organizations include anti-assignment clauses to maintain control over who performs obligations or who receives benefits. Exceptions exist through novation, where all parties agree to substitute a new contract, or with consent from the non-assigning party.

Legal treatises distinguish between nonassignability and nontransferability; in practice, many rights can be assigned with consent. The label "nonassignable" signals the potential for consent requirements and protection of personal or specialized interests.

Notes: The concept varies by jurisdiction, and particular rules can be found in contract law, property law, and administrative regulations.