twomey & jennings business law

© 2004 West Legal Studies in BusinessA Division of Thomson Learning

BUSINESS LAW BUSINESS LAW Twomey • Jennings 1stEd.Twomey • Jennings 1stEd.

Twomey & JenningsTwomey & Jennings

BUSINESS LAWBUSINESS LAWTwomey & JenningsTwomey & Jennings

BUSINESS LAWBUSINESS LAW

Chapter 35Agency

Chapter 35Agency

2© 2004 West Legal Studies in BusinessA Division of Thomson Learning


Agency RelationshipAgency RelationshipAgency RelationshipAgency Relationship

• An agency relationship is created by an express or implied agreement whereby one person, the agent, is authorized to make contracts with third persons on behalf of and subject to the control of another person, the principal.

• An agency relationship is created by an express or implied agreement whereby one person, the agent, is authorized to make contracts with third persons on behalf of and subject to the control of another person, the principal.



The Agency The Agency RelationshipRelationshipThe Agency The Agency RelationshipRelationship

Parties tothe contract(s)

deals with third personand makes contracts on

behalf of principal



Purpose of AgencyPurpose of AgencyPurpose of AgencyPurpose of Agency

• The effect of a proper exercise of authority by an agent is to bind the principal and third person to a contract.

• The agent, not being a party to the contract, is not liable in any respect under the contract.

• The effect of a proper exercise of authority by an agent is to bind the principal and third person to a contract.

• The agent, not being a party to the contract, is not liable in any respect under the contract.



Agent vs. ContractorAgent vs. ContractorAgent vs. ContractorAgent vs. Contractor

• An agent differs from an independent contractor in that the principal, who controls the acts of an agent, does not have control over the details of performance of work by the independent contractor.

• Likewise, an independent contractor does not have authority to act on behalf of the other contracting party.

• An agent differs from an independent contractor in that the principal, who controls the acts of an agent, does not have control over the details of performance of work by the independent contractor.

• Likewise, an independent contractor does not have authority to act on behalf of the other contracting party.



Classification of AgentsClassification of AgentsClassification of AgentsClassification of Agents

• A special agent is authorized by the principal to handle a specific business transaction.

• A general agent is authorized by the principal to transact all business affairs of the principal at a certain place.

• A universal agent is authorized to perform all acts that can be lawfully delegated to a representative.

• A special agent is authorized by the principal to handle a specific business transaction.

• A general agent is authorized by the principal to transact all business affairs of the principal at a certain place.

• A universal agent is authorized to perform all acts that can be lawfully delegated to a representative.



Creating an AgencyCreating an AgencyCreating an AgencyCreating an Agency

AGENCY BYAPPOINTMENT

AGENCY BYCONDUCT

AGENCY BYOPERATION OF LAW

AGENCY BYRATIFICATION

Express authorization — appointed to act for or on behalf of another

Power of Attorney

Conduct of principal as to agent and third person consistent with the existence of an agency relationship

Apparent Authority

With knowledge of an agent’s act, the principal accepts or retains the benefit of the act, or brings an action to enforce legal rights based on the act, or defends the action, or fails to repudiate the act.

Courts create or find an agency when there is none.



Creation of AgencyCreation of AgencyCreation of AgencyCreation of Agency

• The usual method of creating an agency is by express authorization.

• Apparent (Appearance) Authority: agency relationship is be found to exist when the principal causes or permits a third person to reasonably believe that an agency relationship exists.

• The usual method of creating an agency is by express authorization.

• Apparent (Appearance) Authority: agency relationship is be found to exist when the principal causes or permits a third person to reasonably believe that an agency relationship exists.



Limits on Apparent Limits on Apparent AuthorityAuthority

Limits on Apparent Limits on Apparent AuthorityAuthority

• The third person cannot claim that apparent authority existed when that person knows that the agent’s conduct is adverse to the interests of the principal or that the agent is exceeding the limits of his authority.

• An unauthorized transaction by an agent for a principal may be ratified by the principal, giving it enforceability.

• The third person cannot claim that apparent authority existed when that person knows that the agent’s conduct is adverse to the interests of the principal or that the agent is exceeding the limits of his authority.

• An unauthorized transaction by an agent for a principal may be ratified by the principal, giving it enforceability.



Agency by RatificationAgency by RatificationAgency by RatificationAgency by Ratification• A person, who is not an agent, attempts to do

an unauthorized act the principal may later approve.– Intention to Ratify.– Conditions of Ratification.

• Agent must have purported to act on behalf of the principal.

• Principal must have been capable of authorizing the act.

• Principal must have full knowledge of material facts.

– Effect of Ratification.

• A person, who is not an agent, attempts to do an unauthorized act the principal may later approve.– Intention to Ratify.– Conditions of Ratification.

• Agent must have purported to act on behalf of the principal.

• Principal must have been capable of authorizing the act.

• Principal must have full knowledge of material facts.

– Effect of Ratification.



Agent’s AuthorityAgent’s AuthorityAgent’s AuthorityAgent’s Authority

• An agent acting with authority has the power to bind the principal.

• The scope of an agent’s authority may be determined from the express words of the principal to the agent; this is called express authority.

• An agent has incidental authority to perform any act reasonably necessary to execute the authority given the agent.

• An agent acting with authority has the power to bind the principal.

• The scope of an agent’s authority may be determined from the express words of the principal to the agent; this is called express authority.

• An agent has incidental authority to perform any act reasonably necessary to execute the authority given the agent.



Agent’s AuthorityAgent’s AuthorityAgent’s AuthorityAgent’s Authority

• An agent’s authority may be implied so as to enable the agent to perform any act in accordance with the general customs or usage's in a business or an industry.

• This authority is often referred to as customary authority.

• An agent’s authority may be implied so as to enable the agent to perform any act in accordance with the general customs or usage's in a business or an industry.

• This authority is often referred to as customary authority.



ExpressAuthority

Actual Authority

Types of Agent’s Types of Agent’s AuthorityAuthority

Types of Agent’s Types of Agent’s AuthorityAuthority

IncidentalAuthority

CustomaryAuthority

Express Authority: Principal tells agentto perform a certain act.

Buy new office furniture and sell specified used furniture.

Incidental Authority: An act reasonablynecessary to perform the act expresslyauthorized.

Buy furniture on credit when funds notmade available to pay for items.

Customary Authority: An act that,according to the custom of similarbusinesses in the community, usuallyaccompanies the act performed underexpress authority.

Issue receipts for used furniture sold.

ApparentAuthority

No Authority

Apparent Authority: Principal leads thirdparty to believe that agent has authority.

Principal was present when third partypurchased furniture from agent and did not stop the unauthorized transaction.



Scope of Scope of Agent’s AuthorityAgent’s Authority

Scope of Scope of Agent’s AuthorityAgent’s Authority

• A third party has a duty to ascertain the agent’s authority.– Agent’s acts adverse to principal. Third parties

should ask the principal.

• Limitations on Agent’s Authority.– “Obvious” Limitations.

• A third party has a duty to ascertain the agent’s authority.– Agent’s acts adverse to principal. Third parties

should ask the principal.

• Limitations on Agent’s Authority.– “Obvious” Limitations.

Humlen v United States (2001) Did the FBI agent have authority?Humlen v United States (2001) Did the FBI agent have authority?



Duties of AgentDuties of AgentDuties of AgentDuties of Agent• While the agency relationship exists, the agent owes

the principal the duties of: – (1) being loyal,

– (2) obeying all lawful instructions,

– (3) exercising reasonable care,

– (4) accounting for all property or money belonging to the principal, and

– (5) informing the principal of all facts relating to the agency that are relevant to the principal’s interests.

• While the agency relationship exists, the agent owes the principal the duties of: – (1) being loyal,

– (2) obeying all lawful instructions,

– (3) exercising reasonable care,

– (4) accounting for all property or money belonging to the principal, and

– (5) informing the principal of all facts relating to the agency that are relevant to the principal’s interests.

Ellison v Alley (1992) Was the agent disloyal?Ellison v Alley (1992) Was the agent disloyal?



Termination of AgencyTermination of AgencyTermination of AgencyTermination of Agency

• An agency relationship can be terminated by act of either the principal or the agent. – The terminating party may be liable for damages to the

other if the termination is in violation of the agency contract.

• An agency is automatically terminated upon:– (1) the death of the principal or agent; – (2) insanity of the principal or agent; – (3) bankruptcy of the principal or agent; – (4) impossibility of performance; or – (5) war.

• An agency relationship can be terminated by act of either the principal or the agent. – The terminating party may be liable for damages to the

other if the termination is in violation of the agency contract.

• An agency is automatically terminated upon:– (1) the death of the principal or agent; – (2) insanity of the principal or agent; – (3) bankruptcy of the principal or agent; – (4) impossibility of performance; or – (5) war.



Notice of TerminationNotice of TerminationNotice of TerminationNotice of Termination

• When the law requires the giving of notice in order to end the power of the agent to bind the principal, individual notice must be given or mailed to all persons who had prior dealings with the agent.

• Notice to the general public can be given by publishing the announcement in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected geographic area.

• When the law requires the giving of notice in order to end the power of the agent to bind the principal, individual notice must be given or mailed to all persons who had prior dealings with the agent.

• Notice to the general public can be given by publishing the announcement in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected geographic area.



Effect of TerminationEffect of TerminationEffect of TerminationEffect of Termination

• Agency is revoked when agent receives notification.– Agent looses the right to bind the principal.– Termination is effective without giving notice

to third persons.

• Termination of Agency.– Notice to Third Parties.– Agent may still have apparent authority.

• Agency is revoked when agent receives notification.– Agent looses the right to bind the principal.– Termination is effective without giving notice

to third persons.

• Termination of Agency.– Notice to Third Parties.– Agent may still have apparent authority.



Power of AttorneyPower of AttorneyPower of AttorneyPower of Attorney• Under the Uniform Durable Power of Attorney

Act (UDPAA), an agency may be created that is not affected by subsequent disability or incapacity of the principal.

• The agency may also come into existence upon the “disability or incapacity of the principal.”

• The designation of an attorney in fact under the UDPAA must be in writing.

• Under the Uniform Durable Power of Attorney Act (UDPAA), an agency may be created that is not affected by subsequent disability or incapacity of the principal.

• The agency may also come into existence upon the “disability or incapacity of the principal.”

• The designation of an attorney in fact under the UDPAA must be in writing.

Bank IV v Capitol Federal Savings & Loan (1992).Bank IV v Capitol Federal Savings & Loan (1992).

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