What is the term for substituting a new party in a contract for the original party?

The term for substituting a new party in a contract for the original party is called novation. Novation occurs when one party to a contract is replaced by another party, with the consent of all original parties involved. This process effectively transfers all rights and obligations of the original party to the new party, meaning the new party assumes the full legal responsibilities under the contract.

This is distinct from assignment, where one party transfers its rights under the contract to another party, but the original party remains liable for the contract's obligations. Delegation refers to the transfer of duties or obligations but, like assignment, does not remove the original party's responsibilities. Rescission involves canceling a contract and restoring the parties to their pre-contractual positions, rather than replacing a party within the contract itself.