Keighley, Maxsted & Co. v. Durant
[1901] AC 240 · House of Lords
An undisclosed principal cannot ratify a contract made by an agent who did not profess to act for a principal.
Unit II · Law of Contract – II
Duties of agent and principal; termination of agency
Study aid only. Confirm statute numbers with the current bare Act and the official OU LL.B. (3-YDC) 2024–25 syllabus PDF.
Statute sections
| Act / instrument | Section | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Contract Act, 1872 | 211–221 | Agent's duties to principal and principal's duties to agent |
| Indian Contract Act, 1872 | 201–210 | Termination of agency, revocation and renunciation |
| Indian Contract Act, 1872 | 230–238 | Effect of agency on contracts with third persons |
Landmark cases
Syed Abdul Khader v. Rami Reddy
AIR 1979 SC 553 · Supreme Court of India
Agency may be inferred from conduct; termination must be communicated to affect third persons who dealt with the agent.