Agency, Partnership, & LLCs Flashcards
What is an agency?
It refers to the legal relationship whereby one person (the principal) manifests assent that another person (the agent) shallact on her behalf and under her control, and the agent consents to so act
Who must have contractual capacity for an agency relationship to be valid?
The principal
What capacity must an agent have?
Minimal capacity; but if an agent has literally no mental capacity, he cannot act for principle
Can a minor be an agent? A principal?
Agent= yes Principle= no
When may an agent be disqualified?
(1) when he agent is representing both parties;
(2) when the agent fails to have a. Required license
When will a principal be liable for torts committed by its agent?
Two part test?
(1) principal agent relationship
(2) the tort was committed by the agent within the scope of that relationship
What three elements does principle agent relationship require?
(1) Assent
(2) Benefit
(3) Control
What is required to show asssent in a principal agent relationship?
Informal agreement between principal w/ capacity and the agent
What is required to show benefit in a principal agent relationship?
Agent’s conduct must be for the benefit of the principal
What is required to show control in a principal agent relationship?
Principal must have the right to control the agent by having the power to supervise the manner of the agent’s actions
Will the principal be vicariously iable if its agent gets the help of a sub-agent and the sub-agent commits the tort?
The principal will be liable for a sub-agent’s tort only if there is assent, benefit, and control between the principal and the sub-agent
Will a principal who borrows another principal’sa Gent be viscous iable for the borrowed agent’s torts?
The borrowing principal will be liable if there is assent, benefit, and control between her and the agent
Will there typically be liability imposed on a borrowing principal for actions of a borrowed agent?
No, because though there is likely assent and benefit to the principal, there is usually no right to control the borrowed agent
NOTE: this is a typical independent contractor scenario
What is 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
What is the general rule for vicarious liability of independent contractors?
Generally, there is no vicarious liability imposed on a principal for the torts committed by an independent contractors
What are the exceptions to the general rule that there is no vicarious liability imposed on a principal for the torts committed by an independent contractors
(1) inherently dangerous activities;
(2) estoppel: if the principal hold out independ contractor with the appearance of agency, the principal will be estopped from denying liability
How do we determine whether a tort was committed “within the scope” of the agency relationship?
(1) Was the conduct of the kind the agent was hired to perform? If yes, then the act was within the scope of the agency
(2) did the tort occur on the job: Minor detour? Yes; Major Frolic? No.
(3) did the agent intend to benefit the principal? If yes, then inside the scope
What is a frolic?
A new and independent journey —> outside the scope of the agency
What is a detour?
A mere departure form the the task —> inside the scope
True or false: if the agent, even in part, intended to benefit the principal, that’s enough for an act to be considered inside the scope of an agency.
True
Is a principal liable for the intentional torts of its agent?
Generally, no intentional torts are outside the scope of the agency
What are the exceptions to the general rule that principals are not liable for the intentional torts of its agents?
Intentional torts are inside the scope of the agency if:
(1) authorized by the principal
(2) the tort was natural from the nature of your employment (bouncers, security guards)
(3) the intentional tort was motivated by a desire to serve the principal
What is the test to determine whether the principal is liable on a contract entered into by an agent?
Principal is liable for contract entered into by its agent only if the principal authorized the agent to enter the contract
What are the four types of authority that an agent may have?
(1) Actual Express Authority
(2) Actual Implied Authority
(3) Apparent Authority
(4) Ratification
What is actual express authority?
Principal used words to express authority to agent
Must actual express authority be in writing? Made public?
No, it may be an oral private agreement between the agent and the principal
NOTE: if the contract itself is subject to the statute of frauds, the authority must also be in writing
How can express authority be revoked?
(1) unilateral act of either the principal or the agent; OR
(2) Death or incapacity of the principal
NOTE: if principal gives a durable power of attorney, express authority can survive death of the principal
What is a durable power of attorney?
Power of Attorney= written expression of authority
Durable= Conspicous survival language
True or false: actual express authority is narrowly limited to actual words within it
True
What is actual implied authority?
Authority which the principal gives the agent through conduct or circumstance
What are the types of actual implied authority?
(1) necessity
(2) custom
(3) prior acquiescence by the principal
In a case of actual implied authority, under the theory of necessity, the agent has implied authority to…
do all tasks which are necessary to accomplish an expressly authorized task
In a case of actual implied authority, under the theory of custom, the agent has implied authority to…
Do all tasks by custom are performed by someone with the agent’s title or position
In a case of actual implied authority, under the theory of prior acquiescence by the principal, the agent has implied authority to…
Do all tasks the agent believes to be authorized to do by prior acquiescence of the principal
What is the test for apparent authority?
(1) the principal cloaked agent with the appearance of authority; and
(2) third party reasonably relied on the appearance of authority
What is ratification?
Authority that is granted after the contract has been entered
What are the elements of valid ratification?
(1) principal has knowledge of all material facts regarding the contract; AND
(2) the principal accepts its benefits
NOTE: ratification cannot alter the terms of the contract, ie partial ratification is invalid
Are agents liable on contracts it has authority to enter on behalf of the principal?
Generally, no
What is the exception to the rule that agents are not personally liable on contracts entered into on behalf of the principal?
The agent will be personally liable if a principal is partially disclosed (third party knows there is a principal, but does not know their identity); or undisclosed (third party does not know of the principal’s existence)
What duties does a principal owe and agent?
Reasonable compensation and reimbursement of expenses