Privity Meaning in Agreement

When it comes to legal terms, it can often feel like you need a law degree just to understand what is being said. One such term is privity, which is often used in agreements. But what exactly does privity mean in agreement?

In simple terms, privity refers to a legal relationship between parties who have entered into an agreement. This means that they are bound by the terms of the agreement and have certain obligations to each other. Privity is important because it establishes who can enforce the terms of the agreement and who is responsible for fulfilling those terms.

For example, if Company A enters into a contract with Company B, Company A and Company B are in privity with each other. This means that they have a legal relationship and are both bound by the terms of the contract. If Company A fails to fulfill its obligations under the contract, Company B can take legal action to enforce the terms of the agreement.

Privity can also refer to the relationship between a party to an agreement and a third party. In this case, the third party may not have entered into the agreement but may still have some legal rights or obligations under the agreement. This is known as “privity of estate” and is often seen in real estate transactions.

For example, if a landlord enters into a lease agreement with a tenant, the tenant is in privity with the landlord. However, if the landlord sells the property to a new owner, the new owner may not have entered into the original lease agreement but is still bound by its terms as the new landlord. This is because of the privity of estate between the original landlord and the tenant.

In conclusion, privity is a legal term that defines the relationship between parties who have entered into an agreement. It is important to understand privity in agreements as it establishes who is responsible for fulfilling the terms of the agreement and who can enforce those terms. Whether you are entering into a business contract or a real estate transaction, it is important to be aware of privity and its implications.