Legal developments

Assignment of Claims in Iranian Law with a Comparative Look at French and English Law

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mehrdad Pakzad 1
Mohammad Farzanegan 2
Mohammad MehdiPur 3

1 PhD in Private Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan. Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Faculty of Humanities, University of Ilam, Ilam, Iran.

Abstract
Assignment of claims has long been a subject of interest in the legal systems of developed countries. This article examines and compares assignment of claims in Iranian law with a view to the laws of England and France. Using a descriptive‑analytical method and library‑based research, the study explores the similarities and differences between Iranian domestic law and the two foreign legal systems. The Iranian legislator, particularly in the Civil Code, has not specifically addressed assignment of claims. Only through the general principles of other contracts can certain conclusions be drawn, although some jurists have equated this institution with novation under Article 292 of the Civil Code. Nevertheless, a clear legislative gap exists in our statutes. While not discussed in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), assignment of claims does not conflict with sacred Sharia law. By its nature, elements, conditions, and related legal concepts — including novation through substitution of debtor, suretyship (zamān), assignment of debt (hawalah), bills of exchange, insurance, and factoring — assignment of claims is fundamentally distinct. Therefore, the specific provisions governing those legal acts cannot be extended to assignment of claims; rather, it has an independent nature and requires dedicated rules. In English law, assignment of claims was initially opposed for religious reasons, but it was eventually accepted and has gained recognition in commercial instruments and international trade. In French law, assignment of claims is accepted, and the new reformed Civil Code has devoted detailed provisions to it.

Keywords

Assignment of claims
English law
Iranian law
French law
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  • Receive Date 01 August 2025
  • Revise Date 06 October 2025
  • Accept Date 12 December 2025
  • First Publish Date 22 December 2025
  • Publish Date 22 December 2025

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