diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 47fad18c364f0..14fd4778c639a 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -4813,6 +4813,8 @@ version = "3.0.0"
 dependencies = [
  "bitflags",
  "parity-scale-codec",
+ "serde",
+ "sp-core",
  "sp-runtime",
  "sp-std",
 ]
diff --git a/bin/node/rpc/src/lib.rs b/bin/node/rpc/src/lib.rs
index 1d9f88c8c9142..885ecdd42f111 100644
--- a/bin/node/rpc/src/lib.rs
+++ b/bin/node/rpc/src/lib.rs
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ pub fn create_full<C, P, SC, B>(
 	C: ProvideRuntimeApi<Block> + HeaderBackend<Block> + AuxStore +
 		HeaderMetadata<Block, Error=BlockChainError> + Sync + Send + 'static,
 	C::Api: substrate_frame_rpc_system::AccountNonceApi<Block, AccountId, Index>,
-	C::Api: pallet_contracts_rpc::ContractsRuntimeApi<Block, AccountId, Balance, BlockNumber>,
+	C::Api: pallet_contracts_rpc::ContractsRuntimeApi<Block, AccountId, Balance, BlockNumber, Hash>,
 	C::Api: pallet_mmr_rpc::MmrRuntimeApi<Block, <Block as sp_runtime::traits::Block>::Hash>,
 	C::Api: pallet_transaction_payment_rpc::TransactionPaymentRuntimeApi<Block, Balance>,
 	C::Api: BabeApi<Block>,
diff --git a/bin/node/runtime/src/lib.rs b/bin/node/runtime/src/lib.rs
index 956675175a746..aaf470ed33764 100644
--- a/bin/node/runtime/src/lib.rs
+++ b/bin/node/runtime/src/lib.rs
@@ -1340,7 +1340,9 @@ impl_runtime_apis! {
 		}
 	}
 
-	impl pallet_contracts_rpc_runtime_api::ContractsApi<Block, AccountId, Balance, BlockNumber>
+	impl pallet_contracts_rpc_runtime_api::ContractsApi<
+		Block, AccountId, Balance, BlockNumber, Hash,
+	>
 		for Runtime
 	{
 		fn call(
@@ -1353,6 +1355,18 @@ impl_runtime_apis! {
 			Contracts::bare_call(origin, dest, value, gas_limit, input_data)
 		}
 
+		fn instantiate(
+			origin: AccountId,
+			endowment: Balance,
+			gas_limit: u64,
+			code: pallet_contracts_primitives::Code<Hash>,
+			data: Vec<u8>,
+			salt: Vec<u8>,
+		) -> pallet_contracts_primitives::ContractInstantiateResult<AccountId, BlockNumber>
+		{
+			Contracts::bare_instantiate(origin, endowment, gas_limit, code, data, salt, true)
+		}
+
 		fn get_storage(
 			address: AccountId,
 			key: [u8; 32],
diff --git a/frame/contracts/CHANGELOG.md b/frame/contracts/CHANGELOG.md
index efc3eb93c5701..9660d903bfe8d 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/frame/contracts/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ In other words: Upgrading this pallet will not break pre-existing contracts.
 
 ### Added
 
+- Add new `instantiate` RPC that allows clients to dry-run contract instantiation.
+
 - Make storage and fields of `Schedule` private to the crate.
 [1](https://github.com/paritytech/substrate/pull/8359)
 
diff --git a/frame/contracts/common/Cargo.toml b/frame/contracts/common/Cargo.toml
index 050e18fc44d14..375f760b0a5cf 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/common/Cargo.toml
+++ b/frame/contracts/common/Cargo.toml
@@ -16,13 +16,17 @@ targets = ["x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu"]
 # This crate should not rely on any of the frame primitives.
 bitflags = "1.0"
 codec = { package = "parity-scale-codec", version = "2.0.0", default-features = false, features = ["derive"] }
+sp-core = { version = "3.0.0", path = "../../../primitives/core", default-features = false }
 sp-std = { version = "3.0.0", default-features = false, path = "../../../primitives/std" }
 sp-runtime = { version = "3.0.0", default-features = false, path = "../../../primitives/runtime" }
+serde = { version = "1", features = ["derive"], optional = true }
 
 [features]
 default = ["std"]
 std = [
 	"codec/std",
+	"sp-core/std",
 	"sp-runtime/std",
 	"sp-std/std",
+	"serde",
 ]
diff --git a/frame/contracts/common/src/lib.rs b/frame/contracts/common/src/lib.rs
index 2b325d63d628d..17d4bec06b7cf 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/common/src/lib.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/common/src/lib.rs
@@ -21,18 +21,45 @@
 
 use bitflags::bitflags;
 use codec::{Decode, Encode};
+use sp_core::Bytes;
 use sp_runtime::{DispatchError, RuntimeDebug};
 use sp_std::prelude::*;
 
-/// Result type of a `bare_call` call.
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
+use serde::{Serialize, Deserialize};
+
+/// Result type of a `bare_call` or `bare_instantiate` call.
 ///
-/// The result of a contract execution along with a gas consumed.
+/// It contains the execution result together with some auxiliary information.
 #[derive(Eq, PartialEq, Encode, Decode, RuntimeDebug)]
-pub struct ContractExecResult {
-	pub exec_result: ExecResult,
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize))]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", serde(rename_all = "camelCase"))]
+pub struct ContractResult<T> {
+	/// How much gas was consumed during execution.
 	pub gas_consumed: u64,
+	/// An optional debug message. This message is only non-empty when explicitly requested
+	/// by the code that calls into the contract.
+	///
+	/// The contained bytes are valid UTF-8. This is not declared as `String` because
+	/// this type is not allowed within the runtime. A client should decode them in order
+	/// to present the message to its users.
+	///
+	/// # Note
+	///
+	/// The debug message is never generated during on-chain execution. It is reserved for
+	/// RPC calls.
+	pub debug_message: Bytes,
+	/// The execution result of the wasm code.
+	pub result: T,
 }
 
+/// Result type of a `bare_call` call.
+pub type ContractExecResult = ContractResult<Result<ExecReturnValue, DispatchError>>;
+
+/// Result type of a `bare_instantiate` call.
+pub type ContractInstantiateResult<AccountId, BlockNumber> =
+	ContractResult<Result<InstantiateReturnValue<AccountId, BlockNumber>, DispatchError>>;
+
 /// Result type of a `get_storage` call.
 pub type GetStorageResult = Result<Option<Vec<u8>>, ContractAccessError>;
 
@@ -50,6 +77,8 @@ pub enum ContractAccessError {
 }
 
 #[derive(Eq, PartialEq, Encode, Decode, RuntimeDebug)]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize))]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", serde(rename_all = "camelCase"))]
 pub enum RentProjection<BlockNumber> {
 	/// Eviction is projected to happen at the specified block number.
 	EvictionAt(BlockNumber),
@@ -62,6 +91,8 @@ pub enum RentProjection<BlockNumber> {
 bitflags! {
 	/// Flags used by a contract to customize exit behaviour.
 	#[derive(Encode, Decode)]
+	#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize))]
+	#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", serde(rename_all = "camelCase", transparent))]
 	pub struct ReturnFlags: u32 {
 		/// If this bit is set all changes made by the contract execution are rolled back.
 		const REVERT = 0x0000_0001;
@@ -70,11 +101,13 @@ bitflags! {
 
 /// Output of a contract call or instantiation which ran to completion.
 #[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Encode, Decode, RuntimeDebug)]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize))]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", serde(rename_all = "camelCase"))]
 pub struct ExecReturnValue {
 	/// Flags passed along by `seal_return`. Empty when `seal_return` was never called.
 	pub flags: ReturnFlags,
 	/// Buffer passed along by `seal_return`. Empty when `seal_return` was never called.
-	pub data: Vec<u8>,
+	pub data: Bytes,
 }
 
 impl ExecReturnValue {
@@ -84,40 +117,32 @@ impl ExecReturnValue {
 	}
 }
 
-/// Origin of the error.
-///
-/// Call or instantiate both called into other contracts and pass through errors happening
-/// in those to the caller. This enum is for the caller to distinguish whether the error
-/// happened during the execution of the callee or in the current execution context.
+/// The result of a successful contract instantiation.
 #[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Encode, Decode, RuntimeDebug)]
-pub enum ErrorOrigin {
-	/// Caller error origin.
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize))]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", serde(rename_all = "camelCase"))]
+pub struct InstantiateReturnValue<AccountId, BlockNumber> {
+	/// The output of the called constructor.
+	pub result: ExecReturnValue,
+	/// The account id of the new contract.
+	pub account_id: AccountId,
+	/// Information about when and if the new project will be evicted.
 	///
-	/// The error happened in the current exeuction context rather than in the one
-	/// of the contract that is called into.
-	Caller,
-	/// The error happened during execution of the called contract.
-	Callee,
-}
-
-/// Error returned by contract exection.
-#[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Encode, Decode, RuntimeDebug)]
-pub struct ExecError {
-	/// The reason why the execution failed.
-	pub error: DispatchError,
-	/// Origin of the error.
-	pub origin: ErrorOrigin,
+	/// # Note
+	///
+	/// `None` if `bare_instantiate` was called with
+	/// `compute_projection` set to false. From the perspective of an RPC this means that
+	/// the runtime API did not request this value and this feature is therefore unsupported.
+	pub rent_projection: Option<RentProjection<BlockNumber>>,
 }
 
-impl<T: Into<DispatchError>> From<T> for ExecError {
-	fn from(error: T) -> Self {
-		Self {
-			error: error.into(),
-			origin: ErrorOrigin::Caller,
-		}
-	}
+/// Reference to an existing code hash or a new wasm module.
+#[derive(Eq, PartialEq, Encode, Decode, RuntimeDebug)]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", derive(Serialize, Deserialize))]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "std", serde(rename_all = "camelCase"))]
+pub enum Code<Hash> {
+	/// A wasm module as raw bytes.
+	Upload(Bytes),
+	/// The code hash of an on-chain wasm blob.
+	Existing(Hash),
 }
-
-/// The result that is returned from contract execution. It either contains the output
-/// buffer or an error describing the reason for failure.
-pub type ExecResult = Result<ExecReturnValue, ExecError>;
diff --git a/frame/contracts/rpc/runtime-api/src/lib.rs b/frame/contracts/rpc/runtime-api/src/lib.rs
index 6f0399586fa22..943931ec0c846 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/rpc/runtime-api/src/lib.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/rpc/runtime-api/src/lib.rs
@@ -25,18 +25,21 @@
 
 use codec::Codec;
 use sp_std::vec::Vec;
-use pallet_contracts_primitives::{ContractExecResult, GetStorageResult, RentProjectionResult};
+use pallet_contracts_primitives::{
+	ContractExecResult, GetStorageResult, RentProjectionResult, Code, ContractInstantiateResult,
+};
 
 sp_api::decl_runtime_apis! {
 	/// The API to interact with contracts without using executive.
-	pub trait ContractsApi<AccountId, Balance, BlockNumber> where
+	pub trait ContractsApi<AccountId, Balance, BlockNumber, Hash> where
 		AccountId: Codec,
 		Balance: Codec,
 		BlockNumber: Codec,
+		Hash: Codec,
 	{
 		/// Perform a call from a specified account to a given contract.
 		///
-		/// See the contracts' `call` dispatchable function for more details.
+		/// See [`pallet_contracts::Pallet::call`].
 		fn call(
 			origin: AccountId,
 			dest: AccountId,
@@ -45,6 +48,18 @@ sp_api::decl_runtime_apis! {
 			input_data: Vec<u8>,
 		) -> ContractExecResult;
 
+		/// Instantiate a new contract.
+		///
+		/// See [`pallet_contracts::Pallet::instantiate`].
+		fn instantiate(
+			origin: AccountId,
+			endowment: Balance,
+			gas_limit: u64,
+			code: Code<Hash>,
+			data: Vec<u8>,
+			salt: Vec<u8>,
+		) -> ContractInstantiateResult<AccountId, BlockNumber>;
+
 		/// Query a given storage key in a given contract.
 		///
 		/// Returns `Ok(Some(Vec<u8>))` if the storage value exists under the given key in the
diff --git a/frame/contracts/rpc/src/lib.rs b/frame/contracts/rpc/src/lib.rs
index e0a056906f743..dd9ec164a984b 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/rpc/src/lib.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/rpc/src/lib.rs
@@ -27,14 +27,13 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use sp_api::ProvideRuntimeApi;
 use sp_blockchain::HeaderBackend;
 use sp_core::{Bytes, H256};
-use sp_rpc::number;
+use sp_rpc::number::NumberOrHex;
 use sp_runtime::{
 	generic::BlockId,
 	traits::{Block as BlockT, Header as HeaderT},
-	DispatchError,
 };
 use std::convert::{TryFrom, TryInto};
-use pallet_contracts_primitives::ContractExecResult;
+use pallet_contracts_primitives::{Code, ContractExecResult, ContractInstantiateResult};
 
 pub use pallet_contracts_rpc_runtime_api::ContractsApi as ContractsRuntimeApi;
 
@@ -42,6 +41,8 @@ const RUNTIME_ERROR: i64 = 1;
 const CONTRACT_DOESNT_EXIST: i64 = 2;
 const CONTRACT_IS_A_TOMBSTONE: i64 = 3;
 
+pub type Weight = u64;
+
 /// A rough estimate of how much gas a decent hardware consumes per second,
 /// using native execution.
 /// This value is used to set the upper bound for maximal contract calls to
@@ -50,7 +51,11 @@ const CONTRACT_IS_A_TOMBSTONE: i64 = 3;
 /// As 1 gas is equal to 1 weight we base this on the conducted benchmarks which
 /// determined runtime weights:
 /// https://github.com/paritytech/substrate/pull/5446
-const GAS_PER_SECOND: u64 = 1_000_000_000_000;
+const GAS_PER_SECOND: Weight = 1_000_000_000_000;
+
+/// The maximum amount of weight that the call and instantiate rpcs are allowed to consume.
+/// This puts a ceiling on the weight limit that is supplied to the rpc as an argument.
+const GAS_LIMIT: Weight = 5 * GAS_PER_SECOND;
 
 /// A private newtype for converting `ContractAccessError` into an RPC error.
 struct ContractAccessError(pallet_contracts_primitives::ContractAccessError);
@@ -79,59 +84,27 @@ impl From<ContractAccessError> for Error {
 pub struct CallRequest<AccountId> {
 	origin: AccountId,
 	dest: AccountId,
-	value: number::NumberOrHex,
-	gas_limit: number::NumberOrHex,
+	value: NumberOrHex,
+	gas_limit: NumberOrHex,
 	input_data: Bytes,
 }
 
+/// A struct that encodes RPC parameters required to instantiate a new smart-contract.
 #[derive(Serialize, Deserialize)]
-#[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "camelCase")]
-struct RpcContractExecSuccess {
-	/// The return flags. See `pallet_contracts_primitives::ReturnFlags`.
-	flags: u32,
-	/// Data as returned by the contract.
-	data: Bytes,
-}
-
-/// An RPC serializable result of contract execution
-#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
-#[serde(rename_all = "camelCase")]
-pub struct RpcContractExecResult {
-	/// How much gas was consumed by the call. In case of an error this is the amount
-	/// that was used up until the error occurred.
-	gas_consumed: u64,
-	/// Additional dynamic human readable error information for debugging. An empty string
-	/// indicates that no additional information is available.
-	debug_message: String,
-	/// Indicates whether the contract execution was successful or not.
-	result: std::result::Result<RpcContractExecSuccess, DispatchError>,
-}
-
-impl From<ContractExecResult> for RpcContractExecResult {
-	fn from(r: ContractExecResult) -> Self {
-		match r.exec_result {
-			Ok(val) => RpcContractExecResult {
-				gas_consumed: r.gas_consumed,
-				debug_message: String::new(),
-				result: Ok(RpcContractExecSuccess {
-					flags: val.flags.bits(),
-					data: val.data.into(),
-				}),
-			},
-			Err(err) => RpcContractExecResult {
-				gas_consumed: r.gas_consumed,
-				debug_message: String::new(),
-				result: Err(err.error),
-			},
-		}
-	}
+pub struct InstantiateRequest<AccountId, Hash> {
+	origin: AccountId,
+	endowment: NumberOrHex,
+	gas_limit: NumberOrHex,
+	code: Code<Hash>,
+	data: Bytes,
+	salt: Bytes,
 }
 
 /// Contracts RPC methods.
 #[rpc]
-pub trait ContractsApi<BlockHash, BlockNumber, AccountId, Balance> {
+pub trait ContractsApi<BlockHash, BlockNumber, AccountId, Balance, Hash> {
 	/// Executes a call to a contract.
 	///
 	/// This call is performed locally without submitting any transactions. Thus executing this
@@ -143,7 +116,20 @@ pub trait ContractsApi<BlockHash, BlockNumber, AccountId, Balance> {
 		&self,
 		call_request: CallRequest<AccountId>,
 		at: Option<BlockHash>,
-	) -> Result<RpcContractExecResult>;
+	) -> Result<ContractExecResult>;
+
+	/// Instantiate a new contract.
+	///
+	/// This call is performed locally without submitting any transactions. Thus the contract
+	/// is not actually created.
+	///
+	/// This method is useful for UIs to dry-run contract instantiations.
+	#[rpc(name = "contracts_instantiate")]
+	fn instantiate(
+		&self,
+		instantiate_request: InstantiateRequest<AccountId, Hash>,
+		at: Option<BlockHash>,
+	) -> Result<ContractInstantiateResult<AccountId, BlockNumber>>;
 
 	/// Returns the value under a specified storage `key` in a contract given by `address` param,
 	/// or `None` if it is not set.
@@ -184,12 +170,13 @@ impl<C, B> Contracts<C, B> {
 		}
 	}
 }
-impl<C, Block, AccountId, Balance>
+impl<C, Block, AccountId, Balance, Hash>
 	ContractsApi<
 		<Block as BlockT>::Hash,
 		<<Block as BlockT>::Header as HeaderT>::Number,
 		AccountId,
 		Balance,
+		Hash,
 	> for Contracts<C, Block>
 where
 	Block: BlockT,
@@ -199,15 +186,17 @@ where
 		AccountId,
 		Balance,
 		<<Block as BlockT>::Header as HeaderT>::Number,
+		Hash,
 	>,
 	AccountId: Codec,
-	Balance: Codec + TryFrom<number::NumberOrHex>,
+	Balance: Codec + TryFrom<NumberOrHex>,
+	Hash: Codec,
 {
 	fn call(
 		&self,
 		call_request: CallRequest<AccountId>,
 		at: Option<<Block as BlockT>::Hash>,
-	) -> Result<RpcContractExecResult> {
+	) -> Result<ContractExecResult> {
 		let api = self.client.runtime_api();
 		let at = BlockId::hash(at.unwrap_or_else(||
 			// If the block hash is not supplied assume the best block.
@@ -221,37 +210,45 @@ where
 			input_data,
 		} = call_request;
 
-		// Make sure that value fits into the balance type.
-		let value: Balance = value.try_into().map_err(|_| Error {
-			code: ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
-			message: format!("{:?} doesn't fit into the balance type", value),
-			data: None,
-		})?;
-
-		// Make sure that gas_limit fits into 64 bits.
-		let gas_limit: u64 = gas_limit.try_into().map_err(|_| Error {
-			code: ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
-			message: format!("{:?} doesn't fit in 64 bit unsigned value", gas_limit),
-			data: None,
-		})?;
-
-		let max_gas_limit = 5 * GAS_PER_SECOND;
-		if gas_limit > max_gas_limit {
-			return Err(Error {
-				code: ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
-				message: format!(
-					"Requested gas limit is greater than maximum allowed: {} > {}",
-					gas_limit, max_gas_limit
-				),
-				data: None,
-			});
-		}
+		let value: Balance = decode_hex(value, "balance")?;
+		let gas_limit: Weight = decode_hex(gas_limit, "weight")?;
+		limit_gas(gas_limit)?;
 
 		let exec_result = api
 			.call(&at, origin, dest, value, gas_limit, input_data.to_vec())
 			.map_err(runtime_error_into_rpc_err)?;
 
-		Ok(exec_result.into())
+		Ok(exec_result)
+	}
+
+	fn instantiate(
+		&self,
+		instantiate_request: InstantiateRequest<AccountId, Hash>,
+		at: Option<<Block as BlockT>::Hash>,
+	) -> Result<ContractInstantiateResult<AccountId, <<Block as BlockT>::Header as HeaderT>::Number>> {
+		let api = self.client.runtime_api();
+		let at = BlockId::hash(at.unwrap_or_else(||
+			// If the block hash is not supplied assume the best block.
+			self.client.info().best_hash));
+
+		let InstantiateRequest {
+			origin,
+			endowment,
+			gas_limit,
+			code,
+			data,
+			salt,
+		} = instantiate_request;
+
+		let endowment: Balance = decode_hex(endowment, "balance")?;
+		let gas_limit: Weight = decode_hex(gas_limit, "weight")?;
+		limit_gas(gas_limit)?;
+
+		let exec_result = api
+			.instantiate(&at, origin, endowment, gas_limit, code, data.to_vec(), salt.to_vec())
+			.map_err(runtime_error_into_rpc_err)?;
+
+		Ok(exec_result)
 	}
 
 	fn get_storage(
@@ -300,16 +297,43 @@ where
 fn runtime_error_into_rpc_err(err: impl std::fmt::Debug) -> Error {
 	Error {
 		code: ErrorCode::ServerError(RUNTIME_ERROR),
-		message: "Runtime trapped".into(),
+		message: "Runtime error".into(),
 		data: Some(format!("{:?}", err).into()),
 	}
 }
 
+fn decode_hex<H: std::fmt::Debug + Copy, T: TryFrom<H>>(from: H, name: &str) -> Result<T> {
+	from.try_into().map_err(|_| Error {
+		code: ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
+		message: format!("{:?} does not fit into the {} type", from, name),
+		data: None,
+	})
+}
+
+fn limit_gas(gas_limit: Weight) -> Result<()> {
+	if gas_limit > GAS_LIMIT {
+		Err(Error {
+			code: ErrorCode::InvalidParams,
+			message: format!(
+				"Requested gas limit is greater than maximum allowed: {} > {}",
+				gas_limit, GAS_LIMIT
+			),
+			data: None,
+		})
+	} else {
+		Ok(())
+	}
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
 	use super::*;
 	use sp_core::U256;
 
+	fn trim(json: &str) -> String {
+		json.chars().filter(|c| !c.is_whitespace()).collect()
+	}
+
 	#[test]
 	fn call_request_should_serialize_deserialize_properly() {
 		type Req = CallRequest<String>;
@@ -327,13 +351,84 @@ mod tests {
 	}
 
 	#[test]
-	fn result_should_serialize_deserialize_properly() {
+	fn instantiate_request_should_serialize_deserialize_properly() {
+		type Req = InstantiateRequest<String, String>;
+		let req: Req = serde_json::from_str(r#"
+		{
+			"origin": "5CiPPseXPECbkjWCa6MnjNokrgYjMqmKndv2rSnekmSK2DjL",
+			"endowment": "0x88",
+			"gasLimit": 42,
+			"code": { "existing": "0x1122" },
+			"data": "0x4299",
+			"salt": "0x9988"
+		}
+		"#).unwrap();
+
+		assert_eq!(req.origin, "5CiPPseXPECbkjWCa6MnjNokrgYjMqmKndv2rSnekmSK2DjL");
+		assert_eq!(req.endowment.into_u256(), 0x88.into());
+		assert_eq!(req.gas_limit.into_u256(), 42.into());
+		assert_eq!(&*req.data, [0x42, 0x99].as_ref());
+		assert_eq!(&*req.salt, [0x99, 0x88].as_ref());
+		let code = match req.code {
+			Code::Existing(hash) => hash,
+			_ => panic!("json encoded an existing hash"),
+		};
+		assert_eq!(&code, "0x1122");
+	}
+
+	#[test]
+	fn call_result_should_serialize_deserialize_properly() {
+		fn test(expected: &str) {
+			let res: ContractExecResult = serde_json::from_str(expected).unwrap();
+			let actual = serde_json::to_string(&res).unwrap();
+			assert_eq!(actual, trim(expected).as_str());
+		}
+		test(r#"{
+			"gasConsumed": 5000,
+			"debugMessage": "0x68656c704f6b",
+			"result": {
+			  "Ok": {
+				"flags": 5,
+				"data": "0x1234"
+			  }
+			}
+		}"#);
+		test(r#"{
+			"gasConsumed": 3400,
+			"debugMessage": "0x68656c70457272",
+			"result": {
+			  "Err": "BadOrigin"
+			}
+		}"#);
+	}
+
+	#[test]
+	fn instantiate_result_should_serialize_deserialize_properly() {
 		fn test(expected: &str) {
-			let res: RpcContractExecResult = serde_json::from_str(expected).unwrap();
+			let res: ContractInstantiateResult<String, u64> = serde_json::from_str(expected).unwrap();
 			let actual = serde_json::to_string(&res).unwrap();
-			assert_eq!(actual, expected);
+			assert_eq!(actual, trim(expected).as_str());
 		}
-		test(r#"{"gasConsumed":5000,"debugMessage":"helpOk","result":{"Ok":{"flags":5,"data":"0x1234"}}}"#);
-		test(r#"{"gasConsumed":3400,"debugMessage":"helpErr","result":{"Err":"BadOrigin"}}"#);
+		test(r#"{
+			"gasConsumed": 5000,
+			"debugMessage": "0x68656c704f6b",
+			"result": {
+			   "Ok": {
+				  "result": {
+					 "flags": 5,
+					 "data": "0x1234"
+				  },
+				  "accountId": "5CiPP",
+				  "rentProjection": null
+			   }
+			}
+		}"#);
+		test(r#"{
+			"gasConsumed": 3400,
+			"debugMessage": "0x68656c70457272",
+			"result": {
+			  "Err": "BadOrigin"
+			}
+		}"#);
 	}
 }
diff --git a/frame/contracts/src/exec.rs b/frame/contracts/src/exec.rs
index 4649c12018b74..be471ed0c72ea 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/src/exec.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/src/exec.rs
@@ -32,17 +32,52 @@ use frame_support::{
 	weights::Weight,
 	ensure,
 };
-use pallet_contracts_primitives::{ErrorOrigin, ExecError, ExecReturnValue, ExecResult, ReturnFlags};
+use pallet_contracts_primitives::{ExecReturnValue, ReturnFlags};
 
 pub type AccountIdOf<T> = <T as frame_system::Config>::AccountId;
 pub type MomentOf<T> = <<T as Config>::Time as Time>::Moment;
 pub type SeedOf<T> = <T as frame_system::Config>::Hash;
 pub type BlockNumberOf<T> = <T as frame_system::Config>::BlockNumber;
 pub type StorageKey = [u8; 32];
+pub type ExecResult = Result<ExecReturnValue, ExecError>;
 
 /// A type that represents a topic of an event. At the moment a hash is used.
 pub type TopicOf<T> = <T as frame_system::Config>::Hash;
 
+/// Origin of the error.
+///
+/// Call or instantiate both called into other contracts and pass through errors happening
+/// in those to the caller. This enum is for the caller to distinguish whether the error
+/// happened during the execution of the callee or in the current execution context.
+#[cfg_attr(test, derive(Debug, PartialEq))]
+pub enum ErrorOrigin {
+	/// Caller error origin.
+	///
+	/// The error happened in the current exeuction context rather than in the one
+	/// of the contract that is called into.
+	Caller,
+	/// The error happened during execution of the called contract.
+	Callee,
+}
+
+/// Error returned by contract exection.
+#[cfg_attr(test, derive(Debug, PartialEq))]
+pub struct ExecError {
+	/// The reason why the execution failed.
+	pub error: DispatchError,
+	/// Origin of the error.
+	pub origin: ErrorOrigin,
+}
+
+impl<T: Into<DispatchError>> From<T> for ExecError {
+	fn from(error: T) -> Self {
+		Self {
+			error: error.into(),
+			origin: ErrorOrigin::Caller,
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 /// Information needed for rent calculations that can be requested by a contract.
 #[derive(codec::Encode)]
 #[cfg_attr(test, derive(Debug, PartialEq))]
@@ -945,6 +980,7 @@ mod tests {
 		exec::ExportedFunction::*,
 		Error, Weight, CurrentSchedule,
 	};
+	use sp_core::Bytes;
 	use frame_support::assert_noop;
 	use sp_runtime::DispatchError;
 	use assert_matches::assert_matches;
@@ -1123,7 +1159,7 @@ mod tests {
 	}
 
 	fn exec_success() -> ExecResult {
-		Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: Vec::new() })
+		Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: Bytes(Vec::new()) })
 	}
 
 	#[test]
@@ -1186,7 +1222,7 @@ mod tests {
 
 		let return_ch = MockLoader::insert(
 			Call,
-			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::REVERT, data: Vec::new() })
+			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::REVERT, data: Bytes(Vec::new()) })
 		);
 
 		ExtBuilder::default().build().execute_with(|| {
@@ -1246,7 +1282,7 @@ mod tests {
 		let dest = BOB;
 		let return_ch = MockLoader::insert(
 			Call,
-			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: vec![1, 2, 3, 4] })
+			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: Bytes(vec![1, 2, 3, 4]) })
 		);
 
 		ExtBuilder::default().build().execute_with(|| {
@@ -1263,7 +1299,7 @@ mod tests {
 
 			let output = result.unwrap();
 			assert!(output.0.is_success());
-			assert_eq!(output.0.data, vec![1, 2, 3, 4]);
+			assert_eq!(output.0.data, Bytes(vec![1, 2, 3, 4]));
 		});
 	}
 
@@ -1275,7 +1311,7 @@ mod tests {
 		let dest = BOB;
 		let return_ch = MockLoader::insert(
 			Call,
-			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::REVERT, data: vec![1, 2, 3, 4] })
+			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::REVERT, data: Bytes(vec![1, 2, 3, 4]) })
 		);
 
 		ExtBuilder::default().build().execute_with(|| {
@@ -1292,7 +1328,7 @@ mod tests {
 
 			let output = result.unwrap();
 			assert!(!output.0.is_success());
-			assert_eq!(output.0.data, vec![1, 2, 3, 4]);
+			assert_eq!(output.0.data, Bytes(vec![1, 2, 3, 4]));
 		});
 	}
 
@@ -1512,7 +1548,7 @@ mod tests {
 	fn instantiation_work_with_success_output() {
 		let dummy_ch = MockLoader::insert(
 			Constructor,
-			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: vec![80, 65, 83, 83] })
+			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: Bytes(vec![80, 65, 83, 83]) })
 		);
 
 		ExtBuilder::default().existential_deposit(15).build().execute_with(|| {
@@ -1532,7 +1568,7 @@ mod tests {
 					vec![],
 					&[],
 				),
-				Ok((address, ref output)) if output.data == vec![80, 65, 83, 83] => address
+				Ok((address, ref output)) if output.data == Bytes(vec![80, 65, 83, 83]) => address
 			);
 
 			// Check that the newly created account has the expected code hash and
@@ -1548,7 +1584,7 @@ mod tests {
 	fn instantiation_fails_with_failing_output() {
 		let dummy_ch = MockLoader::insert(
 			Constructor,
-			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::REVERT, data: vec![70, 65, 73, 76] })
+			|_, _| Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::REVERT, data: Bytes(vec![70, 65, 73, 76]) })
 		);
 
 		ExtBuilder::default().existential_deposit(15).build().execute_with(|| {
@@ -1568,7 +1604,7 @@ mod tests {
 					vec![],
 					&[],
 				),
-				Ok((address, ref output)) if output.data == vec![70, 65, 73, 76] => address
+				Ok((address, ref output)) if output.data == Bytes(vec![70, 65, 73, 76]) => address
 			);
 
 			// Check that the account has not been created.
diff --git a/frame/contracts/src/gas.rs b/frame/contracts/src/gas.rs
index 80e608b217bd3..21c1afbcd6962 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/src/gas.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/src/gas.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 // See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 // limitations under the License.
 
-use crate::{Config, Error};
+use crate::{Config, Error, exec::ExecError};
 use sp_std::marker::PhantomData;
 use sp_runtime::traits::Zero;
 use frame_support::{
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ use frame_support::{
 	},
 	weights::Weight,
 };
-use pallet_contracts_primitives::ExecError;
 use sp_core::crypto::UncheckedFrom;
 
 #[cfg(test)]
diff --git a/frame/contracts/src/lib.rs b/frame/contracts/src/lib.rs
index 46947ea9e1aef..2aa6b8f2ec7b9 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/src/lib.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/src/lib.rs
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ use crate::{
 	weights::WeightInfo,
 	wasm::PrefabWasmModule,
 };
-use sp_core::crypto::UncheckedFrom;
+use sp_core::{Bytes, crypto::UncheckedFrom};
 use sp_std::prelude::*;
 use sp_runtime::{
 	traits::{
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ use frame_support::{
 use frame_system::Pallet as System;
 use pallet_contracts_primitives::{
 	RentProjectionResult, GetStorageResult, ContractAccessError, ContractExecResult,
+	ContractInstantiateResult, Code, InstantiateReturnValue,
 };
 
 type CodeHash<T> = <T as frame_system::Config>::Hash;
@@ -666,8 +667,8 @@ where
 {
 	/// Perform a call to a specified contract.
 	///
-	/// This function is similar to `Self::call`, but doesn't perform any address lookups and better
-	/// suitable for calling directly from Rust.
+	/// This function is similar to [`Self::call`], but doesn't perform any address lookups
+	/// and better suitable for calling directly from Rust.
 	///
 	/// It returns the execution result and the amount of used weight.
 	pub fn bare_call(
@@ -683,8 +684,65 @@ where
 		let result = ctx.call(dest, value, &mut gas_meter, input_data);
 		let gas_consumed = gas_meter.gas_spent();
 		ContractExecResult {
-			exec_result: result.map(|r| r.0).map_err(|r| r.0),
+			result: result.map(|r| r.0).map_err(|r| r.0.error),
 			gas_consumed,
+			debug_message: Bytes(Vec::new()),
+		}
+	}
+
+	/// Instantiate a new contract.
+	///
+	/// This function is similar to [`Self::instantiate`], but doesn't perform any address lookups
+	/// and better suitable for calling directly from Rust.
+	///
+	/// It returns the execution result, account id and the amount of used weight.
+	///
+	/// If `compute_projection` is set to `true` the result also contains the rent projection.
+	/// This is optional because some non trivial and stateful work is performed to compute
+	/// the projection. See [`Self::rent_projection`].
+	pub fn bare_instantiate(
+		origin: T::AccountId,
+		endowment: BalanceOf<T>,
+		gas_limit: Weight,
+		code: Code<CodeHash<T>>,
+		data: Vec<u8>,
+		salt: Vec<u8>,
+		compute_projection: bool,
+	) -> ContractInstantiateResult<T::AccountId, T::BlockNumber> {
+		let mut gas_meter = GasMeter::new(gas_limit);
+		let schedule = <CurrentSchedule<T>>::get();
+		let mut ctx = ExecutionContext::<T, PrefabWasmModule<T>>::top_level(origin, &schedule);
+		let executable = match code {
+			Code::Upload(Bytes(binary)) => PrefabWasmModule::from_code(binary, &schedule),
+			Code::Existing(hash) => PrefabWasmModule::from_storage(hash, &schedule, &mut gas_meter),
+		};
+		let executable = match executable {
+			Ok(executable) => executable,
+			Err(error) => return ContractInstantiateResult {
+				result: Err(error.into()),
+				gas_consumed: gas_meter.gas_spent(),
+				debug_message: Bytes(Vec::new()),
+			}
+		};
+		let result = ctx.instantiate(endowment, &mut gas_meter, executable, data, &salt)
+			.and_then(|(account_id, result)| {
+				let rent_projection = if compute_projection {
+					Some(Rent::<T, PrefabWasmModule<T>>::compute_projection(&account_id)
+						.map_err(|_| <Error<T>>::NewContractNotFunded)?)
+				} else {
+					None
+				};
+
+				Ok(InstantiateReturnValue {
+					result,
+					account_id,
+					rent_projection,
+				})
+		});
+		ContractInstantiateResult {
+			result: result.map_err(|e| e.error),
+			gas_consumed: gas_meter.gas_spent(),
+			debug_message: Bytes(Vec::new()),
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/frame/contracts/src/rent.rs b/frame/contracts/src/rent.rs
index 8605451ad1ee7..321fe151c300f 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/src/rent.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/src/rent.rs
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ where
 			None | Some(ContractInfo::Tombstone(_)) => return Err(IsTombstone),
 			Some(ContractInfo::Alive(contract)) => contract,
 		};
-		let module = PrefabWasmModule::from_storage_noinstr(alive_contract_info.code_hash)
+		let module = <PrefabWasmModule<T>>::from_storage_noinstr(alive_contract_info.code_hash)
 			.map_err(|_| IsTombstone)?;
 		let code_size = module.occupied_storage();
 		let current_block_number = <frame_system::Pallet<T>>::block_number();
@@ -399,8 +399,11 @@ where
 			&alive_contract_info,
 			code_size,
 		);
+
+		// We skip the eviction in case one is in order.
+		// Evictions should only be performed by [`try_eviction`].
 		let new_contract_info = Self::enact_verdict(
-			account, alive_contract_info, current_block_number, verdict, Some(module),
+			account, alive_contract_info, current_block_number, verdict, None,
 		);
 
 		// Check what happened after enaction of the verdict.
diff --git a/frame/contracts/src/tests.rs b/frame/contracts/src/tests.rs
index 802118bfb069f..b72ef652ce260 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/src/tests.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/src/tests.rs
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ use crate::{
 };
 use assert_matches::assert_matches;
 use codec::Encode;
+use sp_core::Bytes;
 use sp_runtime::{
 	traits::{BlakeTwo256, Hash, IdentityLookup, Convert},
 	testing::{Header, H256},
@@ -1886,7 +1887,7 @@ fn crypto_hashes() {
 					0,
 					GAS_LIMIT,
 					params,
-				).exec_result.unwrap();
+				).result.unwrap();
 				assert!(result.is_success());
 				let expected = hash_fn(input.as_ref());
 				assert_eq!(&result.data[..*expected_size], &*expected);
@@ -1921,7 +1922,7 @@ fn transfer_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			vec![],
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::BelowSubsistenceThreshold);
 
 		// Contract has enough total balance in order to not go below the subsistence
@@ -1935,7 +1936,7 @@ fn transfer_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			vec![],
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::TransferFailed);
 	});
 }
@@ -1969,7 +1970,7 @@ fn call_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			AsRef::<[u8]>::as_ref(&DJANGO).to_vec(),
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::NotCallable);
 
 		assert_ok!(
@@ -1992,7 +1993,7 @@ fn call_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			AsRef::<[u8]>::as_ref(&addr_django).iter().chain(&0u32.to_le_bytes()).cloned().collect(),
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::BelowSubsistenceThreshold);
 
 		// Contract has enough total balance in order to not go below the subsistence
@@ -2006,7 +2007,7 @@ fn call_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			AsRef::<[u8]>::as_ref(&addr_django).iter().chain(&0u32.to_le_bytes()).cloned().collect(),
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::TransferFailed);
 
 		// Contract has enough balance but callee reverts because "1" is passed.
@@ -2017,7 +2018,7 @@ fn call_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			AsRef::<[u8]>::as_ref(&addr_django).iter().chain(&1u32.to_le_bytes()).cloned().collect(),
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::CalleeReverted);
 
 		// Contract has enough balance but callee traps because "2" is passed.
@@ -2027,7 +2028,7 @@ fn call_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			AsRef::<[u8]>::as_ref(&addr_django).iter().chain(&2u32.to_le_bytes()).cloned().collect(),
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::CalleeTrapped);
 
 	});
@@ -2074,7 +2075,7 @@ fn instantiate_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			callee_hash.clone(),
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::BelowSubsistenceThreshold);
 
 		// Contract has enough total balance in order to not go below the subsistence
@@ -2088,7 +2089,7 @@ fn instantiate_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			callee_hash.clone(),
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::TransferFailed);
 
 		// Contract has enough balance but the passed code hash is invalid
@@ -2099,7 +2100,7 @@ fn instantiate_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			vec![0; 33],
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::CodeNotFound);
 
 		// Contract has enough balance but callee reverts because "1" is passed.
@@ -2109,7 +2110,7 @@ fn instantiate_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			callee_hash.iter().chain(&1u32.to_le_bytes()).cloned().collect(),
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::CalleeReverted);
 
 		// Contract has enough balance but callee traps because "2" is passed.
@@ -2119,7 +2120,7 @@ fn instantiate_return_code() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			callee_hash.iter().chain(&2u32.to_le_bytes()).cloned().collect(),
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_return_code!(result, RuntimeReturnCode::CalleeTrapped);
 
 	});
@@ -2209,7 +2210,7 @@ fn chain_extension_works() {
 		);
 		let gas_consumed = result.gas_consumed;
 		assert_eq!(TestExtension::last_seen_buffer(), vec![0, 99]);
-		assert_eq!(result.exec_result.unwrap().data, vec![0, 99]);
+		assert_eq!(result.result.unwrap().data, Bytes(vec![0, 99]));
 
 		// 1 = treat inputs as integer primitives and store the supplied integers
 		Contracts::bare_call(
@@ -2218,7 +2219,7 @@ fn chain_extension_works() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			vec![1],
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		// those values passed in the fixture
 		assert_eq!(TestExtension::last_seen_inputs(), (4, 1, 16, 12));
 
@@ -2230,7 +2231,7 @@ fn chain_extension_works() {
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			vec![2, 42],
 		);
-		assert_ok!(result.exec_result);
+		assert_ok!(result.result);
 		assert_eq!(result.gas_consumed, gas_consumed + 42);
 
 		// 3 = diverging chain extension call that sets flags to 0x1 and returns a fixed buffer
@@ -2240,9 +2241,9 @@ fn chain_extension_works() {
 			0,
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			vec![3],
-		).exec_result.unwrap();
+		).result.unwrap();
 		assert_eq!(result.flags, ReturnFlags::REVERT);
-		assert_eq!(result.data, vec![42, 99]);
+		assert_eq!(result.data, Bytes(vec![42, 99]));
 	});
 }
 
@@ -2767,7 +2768,7 @@ fn reinstrument_does_charge() {
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			zero.clone(),
 		);
-		assert!(result0.exec_result.unwrap().is_success());
+		assert!(result0.result.unwrap().is_success());
 
 		let result1 = Contracts::bare_call(
 			ALICE,
@@ -2776,7 +2777,7 @@ fn reinstrument_does_charge() {
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			zero.clone(),
 		);
-		assert!(result1.exec_result.unwrap().is_success());
+		assert!(result1.result.unwrap().is_success());
 
 		// They should match because both where called with the same schedule.
 		assert_eq!(result0.gas_consumed, result1.gas_consumed);
@@ -2794,7 +2795,7 @@ fn reinstrument_does_charge() {
 			GAS_LIMIT,
 			zero.clone(),
 		);
-		assert!(result2.exec_result.unwrap().is_success());
+		assert!(result2.result.unwrap().is_success());
 		assert!(result2.gas_consumed > result1.gas_consumed);
 		assert_eq!(
 			result2.gas_consumed,
diff --git a/frame/contracts/src/wasm/mod.rs b/frame/contracts/src/wasm/mod.rs
index 3f92320b94b77..969336b59fa39 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/src/wasm/mod.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/src/wasm/mod.rs
@@ -27,14 +27,13 @@ mod runtime;
 use crate::{
 	CodeHash, Schedule, Config,
 	wasm::env_def::FunctionImplProvider,
-	exec::{Ext, Executable, ExportedFunction},
+	exec::{Ext, Executable, ExportedFunction, ExecResult},
 	gas::GasMeter,
 };
 use sp_std::prelude::*;
 use sp_core::crypto::UncheckedFrom;
 use codec::{Encode, Decode};
 use frame_support::dispatch::DispatchError;
-use pallet_contracts_primitives::ExecResult;
 pub use self::runtime::{ReturnCode, Runtime, RuntimeToken};
 #[cfg(feature = "runtime-benchmarks")]
 pub use self::code_cache::reinstrument;
@@ -246,17 +245,20 @@ mod tests {
 	use super::*;
 	use crate::{
 		CodeHash, BalanceOf, Error, Pallet as Contracts,
-		exec::{Ext, StorageKey, AccountIdOf, Executable, SeedOf, BlockNumberOf, RentParams},
+		exec::{
+			Ext, StorageKey, AccountIdOf, Executable, SeedOf, BlockNumberOf,
+			RentParams, ExecError, ErrorOrigin,
+		},
 		gas::GasMeter,
 		tests::{Test, Call, ALICE, BOB},
 	};
 	use std::collections::HashMap;
-	use sp_core::H256;
+	use sp_core::{Bytes, H256};
 	use hex_literal::hex;
 	use sp_runtime::DispatchError;
 	use frame_support::{assert_ok, dispatch::DispatchResult, weights::Weight};
 	use assert_matches::assert_matches;
-	use pallet_contracts_primitives::{ExecReturnValue, ReturnFlags, ExecError, ErrorOrigin};
+	use pallet_contracts_primitives::{ExecReturnValue, ReturnFlags};
 	use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
 
 	const GAS_LIMIT: Weight = 10_000_000_000;
@@ -336,7 +338,7 @@ mod tests {
 				Contracts::<Test>::contract_address(&ALICE, &code_hash, salt),
 				ExecReturnValue {
 					flags: ReturnFlags::empty(),
-					data: Vec::new(),
+					data: Bytes(Vec::new()),
 				},
 				0,
 			))
@@ -367,7 +369,7 @@ mod tests {
 			});
 			// Assume for now that it was just a plain transfer.
 			// TODO: Add tests for different call outcomes.
-			Ok((ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: Vec::new() }, 0))
+			Ok((ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: Bytes(Vec::new()) }, 0))
 		}
 		fn terminate(
 			&mut self,
@@ -946,7 +948,10 @@ mod tests {
 			&mut GasMeter::new(GAS_LIMIT),
 		).unwrap();
 
-		assert_eq!(output, ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: [0x22; 32].to_vec() });
+		assert_eq!(output, ExecReturnValue {
+			flags: ReturnFlags::empty(),
+			data: Bytes([0x22; 32].to_vec())
+		});
 	}
 
 	/// calls `seal_caller` and compares the result with the constant 42.
@@ -1209,7 +1214,7 @@ mod tests {
 			&mut gas_meter,
 		).unwrap();
 
-		let gas_left = Weight::decode(&mut output.data.as_slice()).unwrap();
+		let gas_left = Weight::decode(&mut &*output.data).unwrap();
 		assert!(gas_left < GAS_LIMIT, "gas_left must be less than initial");
 		assert!(gas_left > gas_meter.gas_left(), "gas_left must be greater than final");
 	}
@@ -1299,7 +1304,13 @@ mod tests {
 			&mut GasMeter::new(GAS_LIMIT),
 		).unwrap();
 
-		assert_eq!(output, ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: vec![1, 2, 3, 4] });
+		assert_eq!(
+			output,
+			ExecReturnValue {
+				flags: ReturnFlags::empty(),
+				data: Bytes(vec![1, 2, 3, 4])
+			}
+		);
 	}
 
 	const CODE_TIMESTAMP_NOW: &str = r#"
@@ -1526,7 +1537,10 @@ mod tests {
 			output,
 			ExecReturnValue {
 				flags: ReturnFlags::empty(),
-				data: hex!("000102030405060708090A0B0C0D0E0F000102030405060708090A0B0C0D0E0F").to_vec(),
+				data: Bytes(
+					hex!("000102030405060708090A0B0C0D0E0F000102030405060708090A0B0C0D0E0F")
+						.to_vec()
+				),
 			},
 		);
 	}
@@ -1601,10 +1615,10 @@ mod tests {
 			output,
 			ExecReturnValue {
 				flags: ReturnFlags::empty(),
-				data: (
+				data: Bytes((
 						hex!("000102030405060708090A0B0C0D0E0F000102030405060708090A0B0C0D0E0F"),
 						42u64,
-					).encode(),
+					).encode()),
 			},
 		);
 	}
@@ -1837,7 +1851,10 @@ mod tests {
 			&mut GasMeter::new(GAS_LIMIT),
 		).unwrap();
 
-		assert_eq!(output, ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: hex!("445566778899").to_vec() });
+		assert_eq!(output, ExecReturnValue {
+			flags: ReturnFlags::empty(),
+			data: Bytes(hex!("445566778899").to_vec()),
+		});
 		assert!(output.is_success());
 	}
 
@@ -1850,7 +1867,10 @@ mod tests {
 			&mut GasMeter::new(GAS_LIMIT),
 		).unwrap();
 
-		assert_eq!(output, ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::REVERT, data: hex!("5566778899").to_vec() });
+		assert_eq!(output, ExecReturnValue {
+			flags: ReturnFlags::REVERT,
+			data: Bytes(hex!("5566778899").to_vec()),
+		});
 		assert!(!output.is_success());
 	}
 
@@ -1962,7 +1982,7 @@ mod tests {
 			MockExt::default(),
 			&mut GasMeter::new(GAS_LIMIT),
 		).unwrap();
-		let rent_params = <RentParams<Test>>::default().encode();
+		let rent_params = Bytes(<RentParams<Test>>::default().encode());
 		assert_eq!(output, ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: rent_params });
 	}
 }
diff --git a/frame/contracts/src/wasm/runtime.rs b/frame/contracts/src/wasm/runtime.rs
index f3757e4c2b10d..bed56f409d579 100644
--- a/frame/contracts/src/wasm/runtime.rs
+++ b/frame/contracts/src/wasm/runtime.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 use crate::{
 	Config, CodeHash, BalanceOf, Error,
-	exec::{Ext, StorageKey, TopicOf},
+	exec::{Ext, StorageKey, TopicOf, ExecResult, ExecError},
 	gas::{GasMeter, Token, ChargedAmount},
 	wasm::env_def::ConvertibleToWasm,
 	schedule::HostFnWeights,
@@ -29,14 +29,14 @@ use frame_support::{dispatch::DispatchError, ensure, traits::Get, weights::Weigh
 use sp_std::prelude::*;
 use codec::{Decode, DecodeAll, Encode};
 use sp_runtime::traits::SaturatedConversion;
-use sp_core::crypto::UncheckedFrom;
+use sp_core::{Bytes, crypto::UncheckedFrom};
 use sp_io::hashing::{
 	keccak_256,
 	blake2_256,
 	blake2_128,
 	sha2_256,
 };
-use pallet_contracts_primitives::{ExecResult, ExecReturnValue, ReturnFlags, ExecError};
+use pallet_contracts_primitives::{ExecReturnValue, ReturnFlags};
 
 /// Every error that can be returned to a contract when it calls any of the host functions.
 ///
@@ -347,19 +347,19 @@ where
 					)?;
 					Ok(ExecReturnValue {
 						flags,
-						data,
+						data: Bytes(data),
 					})
 				},
 				TrapReason::Termination => {
 					Ok(ExecReturnValue {
 						flags: ReturnFlags::empty(),
-						data: Vec::new(),
+						data: Bytes(Vec::new()),
 					})
 				},
 				TrapReason::Restoration => {
 					Ok(ExecReturnValue {
 						flags: ReturnFlags::empty(),
-						data: Vec::new(),
+						data: Bytes(Vec::new()),
 					})
 				},
 				TrapReason::SupervisorError(error) => Err(error)?,
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ where
 		match sandbox_result {
 			// No traps were generated. Proceed normally.
 			Ok(_) => {
-				Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: Vec::new() })
+				Ok(ExecReturnValue { flags: ReturnFlags::empty(), data: Bytes(Vec::new()) })
 			}
 			// `Error::Module` is returned only if instantiation or linking failed (i.e.
 			// wasm binary tried to import a function that is not provided by the host).
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ where
 
 	/// Fallible conversion of a `ExecResult` to `ReturnCode`.
 	fn exec_into_return_code(from: ExecResult) -> Result<ReturnCode, DispatchError> {
-		use pallet_contracts_primitives::ErrorOrigin::Callee;
+		use crate::exec::ErrorOrigin::Callee;
 
 		let ExecError { error, origin } = match from {
 			Ok(retval) => return Ok(retval.into()),
diff --git a/primitives/core/src/lib.rs b/primitives/core/src/lib.rs
index c72f38ea0827e..1f1b88fe2f1c7 100644
--- a/primitives/core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/primitives/core/src/lib.rs
@@ -148,6 +148,12 @@ impl Deref for Bytes {
 	fn deref(&self) -> &[u8] { &self.0[..] }
 }
 
+impl codec::WrapperTypeEncode for Bytes {}
+
+impl codec::WrapperTypeDecode for Bytes {
+	type Wrapped = Vec<u8>;
+}
+
 #[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl sp_std::str::FromStr for Bytes {
 	type Err = bytes::FromHexError;