Agency Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

When does an Agency Relationship exist?

A

If there is:
1) Assent;
2) Benefit; AND
3) Control.

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the three types of Agency Relationships?

A

1) A universal agent (broad authority – ALL acts)
2) A general agent (a series of transactions)
3) A special agent (limited authority – specific
act/transaction OR specified period of time)

Priority: Low

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

When does an Agency Relationship terminate?
(when the agent no longer has authority to act)

A

a) When the principal/agent manifests to the other that
the relationship is terminated;
b) A specified term of the agent’s authority expired;
c) Upon the death of the principal or agent; OR
d) Upon the incapacity of the principal or agent.

Priority: Medium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

When does Express Actual Authority exist?

A

When the principal has explicitly told the agent that he is
entitled to act.

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

When does Implied Actual Authority exist?

A

When either:
a) The agent believes he is entitled to act to carry out
his express authorized duties;
b) The agent has acted similarly in prior dealings; OR
c) It is customary for agents in that position to act in
that way.
Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

When does Apparent Authority exist?

A

When:
1) A third-party reasonably believes that the person has
authority to act on behalf of the principal;
AND
2) That belief is traceable to the principal’s manifestations.

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How does a principal hold out an agent as having authority?

A

When he:
a) Gives the agent a position/title indicating such authority;
b) Has previously held the agent out as having authority and
has not published a revocation; OR
c) Has cloaked the agent with the appearance of authority.

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Apparent Authority is not applicable during what circumstances?

A

a) If the third-party has actual knowledge that the agent did
NOT have authority;
b) The contract/transaction was not within the ordinary
usages of business; OR
c) If there is an undisclosed principal
(May be applicable if principal is partially disclosed or unidentified.)

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

When does ratification of an agent’s contract occur?

A

When the principal:
1) Has knowledge of all material facts or contract terms;
AND
2) Thereafter manifests assent (approval) of the same
through words or conduct.

Priority: Medium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

An agent has NO contractual liability to a third-party for contracts entered into with that party, if he does what?

A

1) Fully discloses the principal he is acting on behalf of;
AND
2) Agent had actual or apparent authority (even if no actual
authority present).
*Agent WILL be liable if both elements above are not met.

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Employee
vs.
Independent Contractor

A

Employee: Employer controls manner/means of the employee’s
performance of work. Employer IS vicariously liable for
negligent acts of employee (within scope or employment).

Independent Contractor: A person NOT controlled or subject
to control with respect to performance (may or may not be an
agent). Principal/employer is generally NOT liable for torts
committed by a contractor.

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What determines whether a person is an
Independent Contractor or Employee?

A

Whether the principal had the right to control the manner and
method in which the job is performed.
(If the principal had substantial control, it’s likely the person will be deemed an employee).

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Under respondeat superior, an employer is vicariously liable for an employee’s negligent act if the employee was acting within the scope of employment.

When is an employee deemed to be acting within that scope?

A

When:
a) Performing work assigned by the employer; OR
b) Engaging in a course of conduct subject to the
employer’s control.
** Conduct is not outside the scope merely because an employee
disregards the employer’s instructions.

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Vicarious Liability – Respondeat Superior

Acts Within Scope of Employment
vs.
Acts Outside Scope of Employment

A

Within Scope: When performing work assigned by the
employer OR engaging in conduct subject to the employer’s
control.

Outside Scope: Tort occurs within an independent course of
conduct AND is not intended by the employee to serve any
purpose of the employer.

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What causes an employee’s intentional torts to be
considered within the scope of employment?

A

The Act was:
a) specifically authorized by the employer;
b) driven by a desire to serve the employer; OR
c) the result of naturally occurring friction from the type of
employment.

Priority: HIGH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

In what situations is principal still liable despite the
doctrine of respondeat superior being inapplicable?

A

When:
a) The principal intended the conduct or consequences;
b) The principal was negligent in selecting, training, retaining,
supervising, or controlling the agent;
c) The conduct involved a non-delegable duty to an injured
person with whom they had a special relationship; OR
d) The agent had apparent authority, the agent’s actions taken
with apparent authority constitute the tort (or enable the agent
to conceal it), and a third-party reasonably relied on that
authority.

Priority: Medium

17
Q

When will a principal be liable for torts committed by an Independent Contractor?

A

If:
a) The contractor is engaged in an inherently hazardous
activity;
b) The duty owed by the principal is non-delegable; OR
c) Through the doctrine of estoppel:
The principal holds the contractor out as his agent
to a third-party, they reasonably relied on the
agent’s skill, and the third-party suffered harm as
a result.

Priority: Medium

18
Q

What fiduciary duties does an agent owe to the principal?

A

1) The duty of care – to use reasonable care
2) The duty of loyalty – to act solely and loyally for the
principal’s benefit
3) The duty of obedience – to obey all reasonable
instructions

Priority: HIGH