ABSTRACT
The doctrine of privity states that only those who are parties to a contract can have rights or liabilities under it. The doctrine is well established in English law, but also has a number of exceptions to it. In particular, the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 means that there are many situations where the parties can choose to sidestep the doctrine. The order of treatment here is:
■ The origins of the doctrine. What are the reasons underlying the doctrine, and how did it develop in English law?
