An assigner is clothed with the rights of his principal.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) An assignee steps into the shoes of his assignor and holds the same rights the assignor possessed — cite this to establish that an assignee may enforce every right the principal could have enforced.

Where this applies

• A creditor assigns his right to collect a debt to a collection agency; the agency steps into the creditor's shoes and may enforce every right the original creditor had.
• A patent holder assigns her patent to a company, which then sues an infringer; the court confirms that the assignee holds the same rights the original inventor possessed.
• A landlord assigns his lease to a new owner, who then has the same rights to collect rent and enforce lease terms as the original landlord did.