The relation between non-opposable and inoperative contracts

In accordance with privity of contract, a contract cannot confer rights or impose obligations to third parties; but, as a legal reality, a contract is invocable against third parties, and they cannot ignore its effect. The reverse of the mentioned situation is, also, true and third parties cannot affect a contract. Nonetheless, there is a borderline state in which a contract affects the third party’s potential right, although it does not directly confer rights or impose obligations. There are two theories to set out this situation: inoperativeness and non-opposability. Jurists have different opinions about the instances of, and the relation between, them. This article claims that they are the same. They both are created to protect the rights of third parties; in both states, the contract has effects between contracting parties and has no effect to third parties. Applying the third party’s right, according to circumstances, can dissolve the contract or does not affect it.