Agency and Partnership Flashcards
Agency
a consensual relationship between a principal and an agent
Formation of an Agency
Capacity
Consent
Formation by action or law
Writing is only required if within the SOF
NO CONSIDERATION IS REQUIRED
Capacity to form an agency
Principal must have contractual capacity the agent only needs minimal capacity, which can be a minor
Consent to form an agency
COnsent must be manifested by both principal and the agent
Method of Agency Formation
By action: where the principal and agent agree or the principal holds out the other or by ratification or
by operation of law: where the principal may be estopped from denying the existence or where an agency is created by state
Agents Duties
Loyalty: Disclsoe interest adverse to principal
Obedience: Listen to the agent
Care: Act with reasonable care
Under Contract: Comply with terms in the contract
Principal Duties
Compensate and reimburse: Must pay and reimburse the agent unless the agent agreed to do it for free
Cooperate: Must cooperate and help carry out agency functions
Under Contract: Comply with terms in the contract
Principal Remedies
1) A compensated agent can be held liable for damages based on breach of contract.
2) Any agent is subject to tort liability for damages resulting from his misuse
of the principal’s property, for intentional or negligent misperformance, or
for the failure to perform.
3) If an agent breaches her fiduciary duty of loyalty and secretly profits, the
principal may recover the profits or property.
4) The principal can bring an accounting action in equity to determine the
exact amount an agent owes the principal.
5) If the agent has committed an intentional tort, or intentionally breached her
fiduciary duty, the principal may, in addition to other remedies, withhold the agent’s unpaid compensation.
6) The principal may terminate the agency relationship when the agent breaches one of his duties.
Agent Remedies
1) A compensated agent can sue for breach of contract. If there is no compensation stated in the contract an agent is entitled to reasonable compensation. There is no duty to compensate a subagent.
2) An agent has a possessory lien on any money the principal owes her.
Liability to third parties from the principal
A principal is bound to a contract an agent entered if the agent acted with actual or apparent authority or the principal ratified it.
Actual Authority
The authority that the agent reasonably thinks she possesses is based on the principal’s dealing with her. This is expressed or implied based on the duties that come with the agency.
Apparent Authority
Even if the agent lacked actual authority at the time of the contract, the principal will be bound by the contract if (1) the principal held out the agent as having authority, and (2) based on the holding out, the third party reasonably believed that the agent had authority to act. If the principle did not hold the agent out they will not be bound to the contract unless they ratify it.
Ratification
A principal can be bound by a contract if the principal later ratifies the transaction. Methods of ratification include acceptance of the transaction’s benefits, silence if there is a duty to affirm, and suing on the transaction. If ratified, the contract will be treated as if it had originally been entered with authority.
Liability to third parties from Agent
Whether an agent can be held liable for a contract he enters on behalf of the principal depends on whether the principal was disclosed, unidentified, or undisclosed. This is the only time the type of principal is relevant.
1) Disclosed principal—Agent generally not liable.
2) Unidentified or undisclosed principal—Generally either the principal or agent can be held liable (third party chooses).
Liability to principal or agent from the third party
Where the principal is disclosed, only the principal (not the agent) may enforce the contract and hold the third party liable. If the principal is unidentified or undisclosed, either the principal or the agent may hold the third party liable.
Tort Liability of Principal
Respondeat Superior.
An employee is where the principal had the right to control the manner and method of agents’ work.
Needs to be in the course and scope of employment. NO frolics.
A principal is not liable for the acts of independent contractors unless: (1) inherently dangerous activities are involved; (2) nondelegable duties have been delegated; or (3) the principal knowingly selected an incompetent
independent contractor
Also liable when an agent appears to deal or communicate on behalf of the principal and the agent’s apparent authority enables the agent to (1) commit a tort or (2) conceal its commission.
Partnership
Association between two or more persons (or trust, corp, partnership, or other entity) to carry on as co-owners of a business for profit.
What governs partnerships?
RUPA and contract and agency rules