Fundamentals of Business Law Summarized Cases, 8 th Ed., and Excerpted Cases, 2 nd Ed. ROGER LeROY MILLER Institute for University Studies Arlington, Texas GAYLORD A. JENTZ Herbert D. Kelleher Emeritus Professor in Business Law University of Texas at Austin

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 2 Learning Objectives What is the difference between an employee and an independent contractor? How do agency relationships arise? What duties do agents and principals owe to each other? When is a principal liable for the agent’s actions? When is the agent liable? What are some of the ways in which the agency relationship can be terminated?

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 3Introduction Agency= Principal and Agent. Understanding agency is crucial to understanding the legal environment of business. Principals use agents to be able to conduct multiple business operations simultaneously in various locations. The principal has the right to control the agent in matters entrusted to the agent.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 4 Agency is a “fiduciary” relationship based on trust and confidence. Distinguish Employee vs. Independent Contractor Relationships. Employer Employee Independent Contractor Agency Relationships

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 5 x Is there a great degree of skill required? x Does the Employer exercise a great degree of control over the details of the work? I.C. E’ee Factors Courts Consider: (“X” = Yes) x Is the worker engaged in an occupation or business distinct from Employer? x Is the work usually done under Employer’s supervision? x Does Employer provide the tools? ? How is the worker paid and how long has he been employed? Employer-Contractor Relationships

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 6 Employer-Contractor Relationships Determining whether the worker is an employee or an independent contract affects liability of Principal/Employer. –Tax Liability: Employer liable if employee. –Contract Liability: Employer not necessarily liable. –Tort Liability: Employer liable for torts of employee within scope of employment. Employee Status and “Works for Hire.”

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 7 Consensual Agreement. No consideration required. Principal needs contractual capacity, Agent does not. Can be for any legal purpose. How Agency Relationships Are Formed

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 8 Types of Agencies Agency by Agreement. –Formed through express consent (oral or written) or implied by conduct. Agency by Ratification. –Principal either by act or by agreement ratifies conduct of a person who is not in fact an agent.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 9 Types of Agencies Agency by Estoppel. –Principal causes a third person to believe that another person is the Principal’s Agent, and the third person acts to her detriment in reasonable reliance on that belief. –CASE 22.1 Motorsport Marketing, Inc. v. Wiedmaier, Inc. (Missouri, 2006).

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 10 Types of Agencies Agency by Operation of Law. –Agency based on social duty is formed in certain situations when the Agent is unable to contact the Principal. –Necessaries for family. –Emergency.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 11 Performance: reasonable diligence and skill (special skills). Notification to Principal. Loyalty (no conflict of interest). Obedience. Accounting. Agent’s Duties to the Principal

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 12 Compensation (Express or Implied). Reimbursement and Indemnification. Cooperation. Provide safe working conditions. Principal’s Duties to Agent

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 13 Agent’s Authority Principal is liable for acts entered into by Agent when she gives Agent either actual or apparent authority: –Actual Authority: express or implied. –Apparent Authority: estoppel, emergency. –Ratification.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 14 Express Authority Can be oral or written. –“Equal Dignity Rule”: if law requires written contract, Agent’s authority must be in writing. Failure to comply with the rule renders contract voidable. Exceptions: Officer acting for Corporation. Agent acts in Principal’s presence. Power of Attorney (ordinary v durable).

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 15 Implied Authority Inferred or conferred by custom, Agent’s position or what is reasonably necessary to carry out Agent’s express authority. What the Agent reasonably thinks the Principal means.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 16 Apparent Authority & Estoppel Apparent Authority: Principal, by either word or act, causes 3rd party to reasonably believe that Agent has authority to act for Principal. Estoppel: If 3rd party changes legal position by relying on Principal’s representations, Principal is estopped from denying Agent had authority to contract. CASE 22.2 Ermoian v. Desert Hospital (California, 2007).

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 17Ratification 1. Agent must act on behalf of Principal. 2. Principal must affirm entire deal. 3. Principal must affirm before 3rd party withdraws from transaction. 4.Principal and 3rd party must have legal capacity to contract when Agent made the deal. 5. Principals must know all the material facts involved in the transaction.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 18 Principal Liability for Contracts Principals are classified as: –Disclosed: identity known to 3rd party. –Partially Disclosed: 3rd party knows he is dealing with Agent, but doesn’t know Principal’s identity. –Undisclosed: 3rd party does not know he is dealing with an Agent, and Principal’s identity is totally unknown.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 19 Principal’s Liability for Agent’s Authorized Acts A disclosed or partially disclosed Principal is liable to 3rd party if Agent acts within scope of authority. Agent has no liability to 3rd P for disclosed Principal’s non-performance. (Agent may be liable if Principal is partially disclosed).

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 20 Principal’s Liability for Agent’s Authorized Acts If undisclosed Principal, Principal is liable for the contract unless: –Principal expressly excluded. –Contract is a negotiable instrument. –Agent’s performance is personal. –3rd party would not have contracted if he knew the Principal’s identity.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 21 Principal’s Liability for Agent’s Unauthorized Acts Unauthorized acts outside of Agent’s express, implied or apparent authority. If Agent has no authority, Principal is not liable, but Agent is liable.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 22 Liability for E-Agents Authorized versus Unauthorized Acts. The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. –E-Agents may enter into binding agreements on behalf of the principal. –An E-Agent must provide confirmation of order to prevent errors.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 23 Agent is liable to 3rd party for his own torts. Principal may be liable for Agent’s torts if they result from: –Principal’s own tort. –Principal’s authorization of tortious conduct. –Agent’s unauthorized but fraudulent conduct made within scope of agency. –Liability for Negligenc: Respondeat Superior  Principal’s Liability for Agent’s Torts and Crimes

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 24 Liability for Agent’s Negligence Applies only to Employer-Employee relationships. Principal/Employer is vicariously liable for Agent/Employee’s negligent torts if committed within the Agent’s “course and scope of employment.”  CASE 22.3 Warner v. Southwest Desert Images, LLC (Arizona, 2008).

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 25 Determining the ‘Scope of Employment’ XDid the act involved a serious crime? XDid Employer have reason to know Employee would do the act? XDid Employer furnish instrumentality (tools)? XDid act advance Employer’s interests? XWas act commonly performed by Employees? ??The Time place and purpose of act ( factually based) XWas Employee’s act authorized by Employer? Employer NOT Liable Employer Liable Factors: For Principal to Be Liable, Agent’s Act must have occurred within the Course and Scope of Employment. (X = Yes)

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 26 Respondeat Superior Issues Detour vs. Frolic (Fact-Based). –Principal will generally not be liable with a “detour” in the scope of employment. –Frolic is purely personal. Employee Travel Time. Notice of Dangerous Conditions.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 27 Liability for Agent’s Intentional Torts Principal liable for intentional torts committed within the scope of employment. Employee is a tortfeasor as well. Employer is liable for Employee’s acts which Employer knew or should have known the Employee had a propensity to commit.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 28 First determine whether worker is employee or independent contractor. General rule: Employer is not liable for acts of independent contractors because Employer no right to control. Exception: hazardous activities Independent Contractor is liable for her own torts. Liability for Contractor’s Torts

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 29 Worke r P Generally Not Liable (unless strict liability) Outside CSE-P Not Liable Within CSE -P Liable “ Course and Scope of Employment” Independent Contractor Employee Factors Principal Liability: Review

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 30 Liability for Agent’s Crimes General Rule: Agent is liable, Principal is not, unless: –Principal authorized or participated in crime. –Some jurisdictions hold Principal liable for violating statutes.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 31 How Agency Relationships Are Terminated Agency can be terminated by: –An Act of the Parties; or –By Operation of Law. Once agency terminated Agent has no actual authority to bind the Principal, but may have apparent authority to bind Principal.

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 32 Lapse of Time. Purpose Achieved. Occurrence of a Specific Event. Mutual Agreement. Termination by One Party. Notice of Termination. Termination by Act of Parties

Copyright © 2010 South-Western Legal Studies in Business, a part of South-Western Cengage Learning. 33 Death or Insanity of either Principal or Agent: automatic. Impossibility. Changed Circumstances. Bankruptcy. War. Termination by Operation of Law