Mera Samvidhaan All of Indian Contract Act, 1872

Chapter IV · Of the Performance of Contracts

45Devolution of joint rights.

Section 45 · Chapter IV · By whom contracts must be performed · page 23 of the Act

When a person has made a promise to two or more persons jointly, then, unless a contrary intention appears from the contract, the right to claim performance rests, as between him and them, with them during their joint lives, and, after the death of any of them, with the representative of such deceased person jointly with the survivor or survivors, and, after the death of the last survivor, with the representatives of all jointly.2

Illustration

A, in consideration of 5,000 rupees, lent to him by B and C, promises B and C jointly to repay them that sum with interest on a day specified. B dies. The right to claim performance rests with B’s representative jointly with C during C’s life, and after the death of C with the representatives of B and C jointly.

2 For an Exception to s. 45 in case of Government securities, see the Public Debt Act, 1944 (18 of 1944), s. 8.

Section 45 of The Indian Contract Act, 1872 is reproduced in full above, as printed by India Code, with its footnotes and amendment markers. Read the whole Act, or browse every Act on Mera Samvidhaan.