Discuss Agency from the Point of View of Actual Order Instructions: discuss agency from the point of view of actuals, implied, and apparent authority,

estoppel fiduciary duty, breach of duty, ratification, and vicarious liability

Discuss Agency from the Point of View of Actual Sample Answer

Agency

An agency relationship arises where one party, the principal, empowers another party, the agent to act on his/her behalf (Sealy & Hooley, 2009). The law recognizes three forms of authority that the principal may confer to an agent, which include: actual authority, apparent authority, and ratified authority. Actual authority is classified into implied actual authority and express actual authority. Actual express authority arises where the principal expressly authorizes the agent to act on his behalf. Actual implied authority arises where the principal does not expressly specify the power to the agent but it can be reasonably inferred by the agent that he has been delegated the authority. With regard to apparent authority, there is no express agreement between the principal and the agent but it can reasonably be inferred by a third party from the conduct of the principle that the agent was acting on his behalf. Ratified authority arises where there is no other authority existing but the principal shows that he has agreed to the contract once he becomes aware of it (Sealy & Hooley, 2009).

Under common law, contracts made by an agent on behalf of the principal are legally binding to the principal. The principal is vicariously liable for any acts of the agent that occurred in the course of their agency relationship. Agency is governed by the principle of estoppel in that the principal is precluded from escaping liability arising from an agent’s actions in the event where he could have made reasonable steps to intervene in preventing confusion over authority. The agency relationship is a fiduciary relationship, requiring the agent to act in the best interests of his principal. Where an agent acts in a manner that is not consistent with the duties owed to the principal, breach of duty arises, and this waives the principal from liability.

Discuss Agency from the Point of View of Actual Reference

Sealy, S. L. & Hooley, R. J. A. (2009). Commercial Law: Text, Cases, and Materials. OUP.