Bar Prep - Ageny & Partnership Flashcards
What is the two part test regarding whether a principal will be liable for torts committed by agent?
Requires (1) a principal-agent relationship and (2) tort committed by agent with the scope of that relationship.
What is required for a principal agent relationship?
ASSENT
BENEFIT
CONTROL
What is the definition of assent?
Informal agreement between principal and agent.
What is the definition of benefit?
Agent’s conduct must be for principal’s benefit
What is the definition of control?
Principal must have the right to control the agent by having the power to supervise the manor of the agent’s performance.
If principal has the power to supervise the manor of performance - principal has ____?
Control (Principal-Agent Relationship)
When will the principal be vicarious liability for agent’s tort of sub-agent?
When there is assent, benefit and control between the principal and sub-agent tortfeasor.
When will principal be liable for a borrowed agent’s tort?
When there is assent, benefit and control between the borrowing principal and borrowed agent tortfeasor.
What is the difference between Agents and Independent Contractors?
No right to control independent contractor bc there is NO POWER TO SUPERVISE manner of performance.
What is the general rule regarding principal vicarious liability for independent contractors?
There is NO vicarious liability for independent contractors.
What are the exceptions to the general rule that principal’s are not vicariously liable for tort of independent contractors?
(1) Inherently dangerous activity and
(2) Estoppel
What is the rule regarding liability for an independent contractor and an inherently dangerous activity?
The independent contractor commits tort while engaged in inherently dangerous activity.
Thus, principal will be liable for ID tort.
What is the rule regarding liability for independent contractor and estoppel?
If you HOLD OUT your independent contractor with the APPEARANCE OF AGENCY, you (principal) will be estopped from denying liability on that ground.
What are the factors for analyzing whether a tort is WITHIN THE SCOPE of a Principal-Agent Relationship?
(a) Conduct “of the kind” agent was hired to perform.
(b) Tort occurred “on the job”
(c) Did agent intend to benefit principal?
To determine whether tort was within scope as conduct “of the kind” agent was hired to perform it must ___?
Be conduct that was within the job description, thus likely within scope.
What is the rule regarding Principal-Agent relationship scope factor for tort conduct “on the job.”
FROLIC = outside scope; new and independent journey.
DETOUR = within scope, mere departure from an assigned task
True or False: If an agent intended to benefit a principal by its conduct, principal is liable for a tort committed during this conduct?
True.
What is the general rule regarding principal liability for intentional torts committed by agent?
Intentional torts are generally OUTSIDE the scope of principal-agent relationship.
What are the exceptions to the general rule that intentional torts are outside the scope of a principal-agent relationship?
(1) Authorized by Principal
(2) Natural, from nature of employment
(3) Motivated by desire to serve principal
A bouncer at a bar committing battery as he bounces a drunken patron is an example of ____?
Exception to general rule that intentional torts are outside the scope of principal-agent relationship
When is the principal liable for contracts entered into by its agent?
When the principal AUTHORIZED the agent to enter into contract.
What are four types of authority (regarding principal-agent authority for K)?
(1) Actual Express
(2) Actual Implied
(3) Apparent and
(4) Ratification
What is the rule regarding actual express authority (given by principal)?
It can be oral and private, but its narrowly construed.
What is the exception to general rule that actual express authority can be oral?
If contract itself must be in writing, then express authority MUST be in writing as well. (ex. contracts for real estate).
How can express authority be revoked?
(1) Unilateral act of either the principal or the agent, or
(2) Death of principal
How can a principal give agent actual implied authority?
Through conduct or circumstance, specifically:
(1) Necessity
(2) Custom
(3) Prior dealings
How is implied authority established via necessity?
There is implied authority to do all tasks which are necessary to accomplish an expressly authorized task.
How is implied authority established via custom?
There is implied authority to do all tasks which by custom are performed by persons with agent’s TITLE AND POSITION.
How is implied authority established via prior dealings?
There is implied authority to o all tasks which the agent believes to be authorized to do from PRIOR ACQUIESCENCE.
What is apparent authority?
The appearance of authority, principal can still be liable.
How will you know if there is apparent authority?
Two part test:
(1) Principal “CLOAKED” agent with the appearance of authority, and
(2) Third party must rely reasonably on appearance of authority
What is ratification?
Method for granting agent authority even after contract has been entered into.
What is the exception to the general rule that a principal is liable on its authorized contracts?
Undisclosed principal.