What does the term "revocable" refer to in the context of gratuitous assignments?

In the context of gratuitous assignments, the term "revocable" indicates that the assignor has the flexibility to withdraw the assignment at any time prior to it being fully executed, as long as the assignee has not relied on the assignment in a way that creates a vested interest. This principle recognizes that gratuitous assignments (those made without consideration) can be unilaterally revoked by the assignor unless the assignee has taken significant steps based on the assignment, such as expending resources or altering their position based on the expectation of receiving the assigned benefit.

This understanding aligns with the legal principle that protects against reliance damages; if the assignee has relied on the assignment to their detriment, it may be considered unfair to allow the assignor to revoke it at that stage, thereby making the assignment irrevocable in practice. In contrast, other options do not accurately capture the nuances of revocation in the context of gratuitous assignments, as they either suggest permanence, require consent, or state that alterations are absolutely forbidden, which does not reflect the underlying legal principles governing revocable assignments.