Section 188. Extent of agent’s authority

Category of Bare Act Name of the Act Year of Promulgation
Civil Laws Indian Contract Act, 1872 1872
Act Number Enactment Date Chapter Number
9 1872-04-25 10
Chapter Title Ministry Department
Agency, Appointment and Authority of Agents Ministry of Law and Justice, Legislative Department Department of Law and Legislative Affairs

An agent, having an authority to do an act, has authority do every lawful thing which is necessary in order to do so such act.An agent having an authority to carry on a business, has authority to do every lawful thing necessary for the purpose, or usually done in the course, of conducting such business.

Illustrations

 (a) A is employed by B, residing in London, to recover at Bombay a debt due to B. A may adopt any legal process necessary for the purpose of recovering the debt, and may give a valid discharge for the same.

 (b) A constitutes B his agent to carry on his business of a ship-builder. B may purchase timber and other materials, and hire workmen, for the purpose of carrying on the business.