# Deed of Adherence

> a deed of adherence substantially in the form set out in schedule 9;

**Term:** Deed of Adherence  
**Last updated:** 2026-07-29

## Definition

## What Deed of Adherence Means in a Contract

A Deed of Adherence is the mechanism by which a person or entity that was not an original signatory to a contract becomes legally bound by its terms. Rather than drafting a brand new agreement or amending the existing one, the parties rely on a short, standalone deed through which the incoming party accepts the obligations, restrictions, and benefits already set out in the master agreement. This is especially common in multi-party arrangements such as shareholders' agreements, joint ventures, and partnership structures where membership changes over time.

Because a deed carries formal legal weight under the law governing the contract, it typically requires execution as a deed rather than a simple contract, meaning it must satisfy specific formalities such as witnessing and clear intent to be bound. The underlying agreement usually anticipates this future need by including a template of the deed as an attached schedule, so that when a new party joins, everyone can simply complete and sign that prescribed form.

## How Deed of Adherence Is Defined or Measured

There is no universal statutory definition of a Deed of Adherence; instead, its meaning and effect are shaped entirely by the contract that references it. The operative agreement will usually state that any new shareholder, partner, or investor must execute a deed.

## Context

### Relevant circumstances

- When new shareholders or parties accede to an existing agreement
- If a standard-form deed in a schedule binds them to all original terms
- Where the company can compel transferees to execute a deed of adherence

### Relevant sectors

- Legal Services
- Business Services
- Commercial Contracts

## Relevant contract types

- [Assignment Deed](https://www.genieai.co/en-us/template-type/assignment-deed)
- [Deed of Donation](https://www.genieai.co/en-us/template-type/deed-of-donation)
- [Deed of Rectification](https://www.genieai.co/en-us/template-type/deed-of-rectification)

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