Agency and Partnership Flashcards
Three Agency Problems
- Liability of Principal to Third Parties for Torts of an Agent.
- Liability of Principal to Third Parties for Contracts Entered into by an Agent.
- Duties which Agents Owe to Principals.
Liability for Principal for Torts of Agent - Respondeat Superior or Vicarious Liability
Issue: Whether the principal will be vicariously liable for torts committed by its agent.
Two Part Test for Principal Liability to Torts
- There is a Principal Agent Relationship;
AND - The Tort must be commited by the agent within the scope of the relationship.
Principal-Agent Relationship Requirements
- Assent
- Benefit
- Control
Assent
An informal agreement between the Principal, who has capacity, and the Agent
Benefit
The Agent’s conduct must be for the Principal’s benefit.
Control
The Principal must have the right to control the Agent by having the power to supervise the manner of the Agent’s performance
Sub-Agents: Will the principal be vicariously liable if its agent gets the help of a “sub-agent” and they commit a tort?
Only if there is: 1. Assent 2. Benefit 3. Control Between Principal and Sub-Agent tortfeasor
**Without all three, NO VICARIOUS LIABILITY
Borrowed Agents: Will the principal who borrows another principal’s agent be vicariously liable the “borrowed agent” tort?
Only if there is: 1. Assent 2. Benefit 3. Control Between Borrowing Principal and Borrowed Agent tortfeasor
**Without all three, NO VICARIOUS LIABILITY
The key distinction between an Agent and an Independent Contractor
There is NO RIGHT TO CONTROL an Independent Contractor because there is NO POWER to supervise the manner of its performance or work.
Vicarious Liability Rule for Independent Contractor Torts
As a rule, there can be no vicarious liability for an Independent Contractor’s torts.
Exceptions to NO Vicarious Liability for Independent Contractors
- Inherently dangerous activities - if youR IC commits a tort in an inherently dangerous activity, Vicariously Liable. (Non-Delegable Duty)
AND - Estoppel - if you hold out your IC with the appearance of Agency you will be estopped from denying liability.
Scope of Principal-Agent Relationship Test
- Was conduct “of the kind” agent was hired to perform?
- Did the tort orccur “on the job”? Frolic v. Detour
- Did the agent intend to benefit the Principal?
Was conduct “of the kind” agent was hired?
Was the conduct within the job description, if so likely inside the scope.
Did the tort occur “on the job”? **Tested often
A frolic is a new and independent journey and is outside the scope.
A detour is a mere departure from an assigned task and is inside the scope.
Did the agent intent to benefit the Principal?
If the Agent, even in part, intended to benefit the Principal by its conduct that is enough to be inside the scope.
Vicarious Liability of the Principal for Intentional Torts Committed by the Agent
Intentional torts are generally outside the scope.
Exceptions to Vicarious Liability of the Principal for Intentional Torts Committed by the Agent
- If conduct was authorized by the Principal
OR - If conduct was natural from the nature of employment
OR - If conduct was motivated by a desire to serve principal
What to look for in within the scope?
Detour if you are driving back to work.
Liability of Principal for Contracts Entered by Agents Issue
Whether the principal is liable for contracts entered into by its agent?
Test for Liability of Principal for Contracts Entered by Agents Issue
Principal is liable for contracts entered into by its agent only if the principal authorized the agent to enter the contract.
Four Types of Authority
- Actual Express
- Actual Implied
- Apparent
- Ratification
Actual Expressed Authority
Principal used words to express authority to agent.
Actual express authority can be
1. Oral
AND
2. Private
Narrowly Interpreted - confined to words used in it.
Exceptions to Oral and Private Actual Expressed Authority
If the contract itself must be in writing, then the express authority must be in writing.
**Land Sales (Look up Statute of Fraud)
How to revoke Express Authority?
- Unilateral act of either the principal or the agent
OR - Death or incapacity of the principal.
Where to start on essays for points?
“The Principal is liable only on its authorized contracts”, “in this case”, “therefore”
Exception to Protect the Agent
If the Principal gives the Agent a durable power of attorney.
Power of Attorney
Written expression of authority to enter into a transaction.
Durable
BIG BOLD, CLEAR SURVIVAL LANGUAGE
BIG BOLD, CLEAR SURVIVAL LANGUAGE
“Survives Death”
Actual Implied Authority
Authority which the principal gives the agent through conduct or circumstance:
- Necessity
- Custom
- Prior Dealing
Necessity
There is implied authority to do all tasks that are necessary to accomplish an expressly authorized task.
Custom
There is implied authority to do all tasks which by custom are performed by persons with the Agent’s title or position.
Pr
There is implied authority to do all tasks which the agent believes to be authorized to do from prior acquiescence
Apparent Authority
The appearance of authority to the third party.
Two Part Test for Apparent Authority
- Principal “cloaked” agent with the appearance of authority;
AND - Third Party reasonably relies on appearance of authority.
Ratification
Authority can be granted after the contract has been entered, IF:
1. The Principal has knowledge of all material facts regarding the contract,
AND
2. Principal accepts its benefits.
Ratification Exception
Ratification cannot alter the terms of the contract.
The Rules of Liability on the Contract
The General Rule is the principal is liable on its authorized contracts and therefore as a rule an authorized Agent is not liable on its authorized contracts
Exception to the Rules of Liability on the Contract
The undisclosed principal, if principal is partially disclosed (only the identity of the principal concealed) or undisclosed (fact of principal concealed), authorized agent may nonetheless be liable at the election of the third party.
Result: Authorized Agent becomes liable
Duties Agent Owes to Principal
In return for reasonable compensation and reimbursement of expenses, agents owe principals:
- Duty of Care
- Duty of Obey Reasonable Instruction
- Duty of Loyalty
How would an Agent breach duty of loyalty?
What can the Agent NEVER do?
- Self-dealing: Agent cannot receive a benefit to the detriment of the principal;
- Usurping the principal’s opportunity: take away;
OR - Secret profits: making a profit at the principal’s expense without disclosure.
On Principal Questions always start with this language
“The Principal is liable only on its authorized contracts.”
What remedies does a Principal have?
May recover:
1. Losses that are caused by the breach;
AND
2. the Principal may disgorge the profits made.
Partnership Issue Areas
- Formation
- Liability of General Partners to Third Parties
- Rights and Liability between General Partners
- General Partnership Dissolution
- Alternative Unincorporated Business Organzations
General Partnership Formation: Formalities
None.
Behavior can lead to being classified.
General Partnership Formation: Definition
A general partnership is an association of two or more persons who are carrying on as co-owners of a business for profit.
Sharing of Profits is the Key Factor to General Partnerships. Therefore what?
The contribution of money or services in return for a share of profits creates a presumption that a General Partnership exists.
**Not salary, wage, commissions, fixed rate of interest.
**Must be share of profits.
Liability of General Partners to Third Parties
- Agency Principles Apply:
- Each General Partner is personally liable for all debts of the Partnership and for each co-partner’s torts.
- General Partnership Liability by Estoppel
Agency Principles in General Partnership
- Partners are agents of the partnership for apparently carrying on usual partnership business.
- Therefore, the general partnership is liable for each partner’s torts in the scope of partnership business and for each partner’s authorized contracts.
Two Spins on Partner being liable for all debts of partnership
- Incoming partner’s are generally not liable for prior debts, but any money paid in by that incoming partner can be used to satisfy those prior debts.
- Dissociation (withdrawing) partner’s retain liability for subsequent debts UNTIL:
- actual notice of their dissociation is given to creditors
OR
- 90 days after filing Notice of Dissociation with the State.