ABSTRACT
The doctrine of privity states that only those who are parties to a contract can have rights or liab il it ies under it. The doctrine is well estab lished in English law, but also has a number of excep tions to it. In partic u lar, the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 means that there are many situ ations where the parties can choose to sidestep the doctrine. The order of treat ment here is:
■ The origins of the doctrine. What are the reasons under ly ing the doctrine, and how did it develop in English law?
