Agency/Partnership/LLC Flashcards
Who needs capacity to contract in an agency relationship?
Just the principal, not necessarily the agent.
Agency requires no writing unless:
The agency falls w/i the SoF (usually if the agency can’t be performed w/i 1 year.)
Actual authority may be:
express or implied.
Actual express authority:
P tells A to act on P’s behalf.
Implied express authority:
P’s conduct leads A to believe that A has authority.
Six ways to terminate actual authority:
- After a specified time/event OR a reasonable time.
- Change of circumstances (e.g. subject matter is destroyed.)
- If the agent acquires an adverse interest. (e.g. joins a competitor)
- Agent says so.
- Principal says so (UNLESS coupled with an interest which makes agency irrevocable)
- By death/incapacity/bankruptcy - unless coupled w/ an interest.
Three substitutions for actual authority:
- Apparent authority
- Ratification
- Adoption
Apparent Authority:
P leads third party to mistakenly believe that A has authority.
Policy behind apparent authority:
Protects innocent third party who relies on P’s holding out A as agent.
For apparent authority reasonable belief must be created by:
PRINCIPAL, not the agent alone.
Apparent authority can _______ after actual authority ends.
Linger.
How can P destroy apparent authority?
By telling 3d party that A has no authority to bind.
How to ratify? P can ratify by: (3)
- expressly affirming the K,
- accepting the benefit of the K, or
- Suing the third party on it.
Three requirements for ratification:
- Knowledge: P must have knowledge of all material facts.
- All or nothing: P must accept entire transaction.
- Capacity: P must have capacity BOTH at time of ratification AND at the time of the original contract.
Difference between adoption and ratification?
Ratification is retroactive and adoption makes the principal liable only from the moment of adoption.
Duties that Agent owes Principal:
- Loyalty
- Care - sliding scale depending on special skills.
- Obedience.
Duties principal owes agent:
- Compensation (if not gratuitous)
- Reimbursement
- Indemnification
Assuming some sort of authority, the principal is _______ liable to a third party.
Always
Assuming some sort of authority, a third party is ________ liable to principal.
Almost always.
Unless there is an undisclosed principal AND the undisclosed principal has special skills.
If the tort was committed by an employee acting within the scope of employment then:
Employee/employer are jointly and severally liable.
Factors for determining whether an employee vs. independent K: (6)
MOST IMPORTANT: 1. Did the employer have the right to control how the employee did the job?
- Who supplied the tools/workplace?
- Was the job a part of employer’s regular business?
- Was it long term?
- Was much skill required?
- Was payment in regular intervals or lump sum?
Employer only liable for employees tort if employee was acting:
w/i the scope of employment.
Detour:
minor deviation is usually WITHIN the scope of employment.
Frolic:
substantial deviation usually not w/i the scope of employment.
Intentional torts committed by employees:
Employers are generally not liable unless force is used to further employer’s business (bouncer)
For P to be liable to a third party on a K entered into by A what factors must be considered? (Analysis)
- Did the agent have ACTUAL or APPARENT authority at the time of the K, OR
- Did the principal RATIFY or ADOPT the K later on?
If so, then PRINCIPAL IS LIABLE on the K, but the agent is not.
Is an employer liable for a tort committed by an employee? (Analysis:)
Yes, if the tort was committed by an EMPLOYEE acting in the SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT.
THEN employee and employer are jointly and severally liable.
General PS:
Association of 2 or more persons to carry on as CO-OWNERS a business for profit, whether they intend to form a PS or not.
Factors to determine who is a partner: (From most to least important) (3 - PCC)
- PROFIT: A person recieving a share of the profits is presumed to be a partner.
- Control: the right to control may be enough even if the control is never exercised.
- Capital: Not required.
Formalities to create a PS:
None unless K falls w/i SOF
Statement of PS: Who is it filed with?
A PS MAY file this with the superior court clerk of any county. (Not required to establish a PS)
A public filing automatically establishes the existence of a PS.
PS by estoppel:
If no PS is formed then parties may still be liable AS IF they are partners to protect reasonable reliance by third parties.
PS Property: Property is presumed to belong to the PS if it is: (3 - FAN)
- characterized as such in the PS agreement;
- acquired in the PSs name; or
- acquired with PS funds.