Q.
What are the 4 authorities of Agent?
A.
The term 'authority' in agency law is spelled out in appointment of agents.
There are various ways that agents could be appointed. Various sections of the Part X of Contracts Act, 1950 provide the appointment of agent with authority to carry out the job of the principal.
When an agent acts, they can possess a number of different types of authority. This can be (1) Actual Express, (2) Actual Apparent, (3) Apparent and (4) Assumed.
139. The authority of an agent may be expressed or implied.
140. An authority is said to be express when it is given by words spoken or written. An authority is said to be implied when it is to be inferred from the circumstances of the case; and things spoken or written, or the ordinary course of dealing, may be accounted circumstances of the case.
Agent’s authority in an emergency
142. An agent has authority, in an emergency, to do all such acts for the purpose of protecting his principal from loss as would be done by a person of ordinary prudence, in his own case, under similar circumstances.
Liability of principal inducing belief that agent’s unauthorized acts were authorized
190. When an agent has, without authority, done acts or incurred obligations to third persons on behalf of his principal, the principal is bound by those acts or obligations if he has by his words or conduct induced such third persons to believe that those acts and obligations were within the scope of the agent’s authority.
1. Actual Authority - Express Authority - s.139 & s.140
2. Actual Authority - Implied Authority, Actual Apparent - s.139 & s.140
3. Ostensible Authority - Apparent Authority - s.190
4. Assumed Authority - Estoppel - s.190
5. Authority in an emergency - s.142 in good faith
See quite similar question on agent's authority here.
Ref:
S.139, 140, 142 & 190 Contracts Act, 1950.