body: Source: p 33 Middle, [*JC Smith's The Law of Contract*](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0414041801/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8AWSERSMKG5WTHNPGVKS) (2016) by [Paul S. Davies](https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/people/paul%C2%A0s-davies).
  
  
  
  > 
  > If the procedure envisaged in *Eccles v Bryant* is followed and each contract is concluded
  > only when an exchange through the post is complete, there is a grave risk that X may find
  > that he has committed himself to buy Y 's house, but that W has changed his mind and
  > refuses to buy X's house, with the result that X has two houses on his hands. And Y may find
  > that he has committed himself to sell to X, but that Z has changed his mind, meaning that
  > Y is left without a house at all. The risks are inevitable because of the delay involved in the
  > process of exchange. If the solicitors of all four parties could meet together and exchange
  > the signed parts of the contracts virtually simultaneously, all risk could be eliminated; but
  > it will usually be impracticable for them to meet. A solution has been found in a system of
  > 'exchange' by telephone. If all the contracts have been signed and all the parties are ready
  > to proceed, W 's solicitor may agree to hold the contract signed by W **to the order of** X's
  > solicitor who in turn will agree to hold X 's signed contract to sell to W **to the order of** W 's
  > solicitor. X 's solicitor will also agree to hold X's signed contract to buy from Y **to the order
  > of** Y 's solicitor—and so on down the chain. Some of the contracts may have been physically
  > delivered in advance and held to the order of the delivering solicitor until the time agreed
  > for the 'constructive' (or notional) transfer. But it seems that there need be no physical delivery at all.
  > 
  > 
  > 
  
  
  The OED lacks the correct definition, as the following do not pertain:
  
  
  
  > 
  > [23.] [a.](http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/132334?rskey=qd1pq4&result=1&isAdvanced=false#eid33289311) *Law.* A decision of a court or judge, made or entered in writing. In the Supreme Court: a direction of the court or a judge other than a final judgment.
  > 
  > 
  > [b.](http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/132334?rskey=qd1pq4&result=1&isAdvanced=false#eid33289408) *Banking and Finance.* A written direction to pay money or deliver property, made by a person legally entitled to do so.
  > 
  > 
  > 
  
  
  
title: What does 'to the order of' mean (excluding contexts of bills, promissory notes)?