Contracts that were valid before a change in government or leadership continue to be legally binding. The government must honour agreements made by previous administrations or officials. No one can cancel a contract just because the person who signed it is no longer in office. This protects businesses and individuals who have agreements with the state. You can rely on your contract remaining valid even when the government changes.

Where there is subsisting, immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution, a contract which has been entered into by or on behalf of the Government, then on and after the coming into force of this Constitution, all rights, liabilities and obligations of the Government under the contract shall be vested in or, as the case may be, subsist against the Government; and the contract shall otherwise continue to be of full force and effect.

Article 285 ensures that government contracts made before the new Constitution remain valid, with all rights and obligations continuing under the Government.

Article 285: Who takes over government contracts

285.Succession to contracts

Summary