Commentary on Sections Structure of Chapters Overview Section 505: Assignments etc. involving co-ownership
1991.This section and section 506 are based on section 546A of ICTA. They cater for changes in the person(s) having beneficial ownership of the whole or a part of, or a share in, the rights under the policy or contract, however the change comes about. That ownership is described in these sections as the “ownership interest” (see subsection (4)). But this section does not apply when there is a complete change of ownership of that interest (for example, when all the rights are assigned by the old owner or owners to a completely different person or persons).
1992.These sections ensure that only those owners who have reduced their share in the ownership interest (whether partly or completely) are treated as having made an assignment which may give rise to a gain and a chargeable event. Whether the deemed assignment is an assignment for money or money’s worth (which is material for section 498(1)) depends on how the change of ownership was effected between the parties.
1993.This section applies for the purposes of the Chapter (other than this section and section 506, which of necessity refer to the actual assignment). References elsewhere to an assignment have therefore to be construed in accordance with the rules in these sections.