Agency and Partnership Flashcards
When will a principal be liable for torts committed by its agent?
- principal/agent relationship, and
2. within the scope of that relationship
When does a principal-agent relationship exist?
- assent
- benefit
- control
what is “assent”?
informal agreement between the principal who has capacity and the agent
what is a “benefit”?
agent’s conduct for the principal’s benefit
what is “control”?
the principal must have the right to control the agent by having the power to supervise and manage the manner of the agent’s performance
will the principal be vicariously liable if its agent gets the help of a “sub-agent” and the sub-agent commits the tort?
requires assent, benefit, and control between the principal and the sub-agent tortfeasor
generally, there is no vicarious liability for sub-agent’s tort
will a principal who borrows another principal’s agent be vicariously liable for the borrowed agent’s tort?
requires assent, benefit, and control between the principal and the borrowed agent
generally, there is no vicarious liability for the borrowed agent’s tort
what is the key distinction between an agent and an independent contractor?
no right to control an independent contractor because there is no power to supervise the manner of its performance
are principals vicariously liable for independent contractors’ torts?
generally, there can be no vicariously liability for an independent contractor’s torts because there is no control
what are the exceptions to the general rule concerning vicarious liability and independent contractor’s torts?
- inherently dangerous activities
- estoppel - if you hold out independent contractor with appearance of agency you will be estopped from denying liability
When is a principal estopped from denying the liability for an independent contractor’s tort?
when the principal holds out the independent contractor with the appearance of agency
how do you determine if the tort committed by an agent was within the scope of the principal-agent relationship?
- was conduct “of the kind” agent was hired to perform
- did the tort occur “on the job” - frolic vs. detour
- did the agent intend to benefit the principal
What is the difference between a frolic and a detour?
frolic = a new and independent journey
detour = mere departure from assigned task
What is the rule regarding vicarious liability for the intentional torts of an agent?
generally, intentional torts are generally outside the scope of the agent-principal relationship
what are the exceptions to the general rule regarding the intentional torts of an agent?
- conduct was authorized by the principal; or
- natural from nature of employment (bouncer); or
- motivated by desire to serve the principal
Is the principal liable for contracts entered into by its agent?
principal is liable for contracts entered into by its agent only if the principal authorized the agent to enter the contract
when is “actual express authority” present?
principal used words (oral and private ok) to express authority to agent
when must actual express authority be in writing?
if the contract itself must be in writing, the express authority must be in writing (e.g. statute of frauds - land contracts)
When is express authority revoked?
- unilateral act of either the principal or the agent; or
2. death or incapacity of the principal
what is a durable power of attorney?
principal gives the agent a written expression of authority to enter into a contract with clear survivable language - narrowly construed
what is “actual implied authority”?
authority which the principal gives through conduct or circumstance
what three forms of conduct create actual implied authority?
- necessity - implied authority to do all tasks which are necessary to accomplish an expressly authorized task
- custom - implied authority to do all tasks which by custom are performed by persons in the agent’s title or position
- prior acquiescence by the principal
When is “apparent authority” present?
- principal “cloaked agent with appearance of authority and
- third party reasonably relies on appearance of authority
How is authority granted through “ratification”?
authority can be granted after the contract has been entered if:
- principal has knowledge of all material facts regarding the contract; and
- principal accepts its benefits
however - ratification cannot alter the terms of the contract
is an authorized agent liable on its contracts?
the principal is liable on its authorized contracts, and therefore as a rule the authorized agent is not liable on its authorized contracts