Section 45. Devolution of joint rights

Category of Bare Act Name of the Act Year of Promulgation
Civil Laws Indian Contract Act, 1872 1872
Act Number Enactment Date Chapter Number
9 1872-04-25 4
Chapter Title Ministry Department
Of the performance of contracts which must be performed Ministry of Law and Justice, Legislative Department Department of Law and Legislative Affairs

When a person has made a promise to two or more persons jointly, then unless 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 one 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.1

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.

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1. For an exception to section 45 in case of Government securities, see the Public Debt Act, 1944 (18 of 1944), section 8.