Indian Contract Act, 1872
212. Skill and diligence required from
agent
An agent is bound to conduct the business of the agency with as
much skill as is generally possessed by person engaged in similar business
unless the principal has notice of his want of skill. The agent is always bound
to act with reasonable diligence, and to use such skill as he possesses; and to
make compensation to his principal in respect of the direct consequences of his
own neglect, want of skill, or misconduct, but not in respect of loss or damage
which are indirectly or remotely caused by such neglect, want of skill, or
misconduct.
Illustrations
(a) A, a merchant in Calcutta, has an agent, B, in London, to
whom a sum of money is paid on A's account, with order to remit. B retains the
money for considerable time. A, in consequence of not receiving the money,
becomes insolvent. B is liable for the money and interest, from the day on
which it ought to have been paid, according to the usual rate, and for any
further direct loss as, e.g., by variation of rate of exchange-but not further.
(b) A, an agent for the sale of goods, having authority to sell
on credit, sells to B in credit, without making the proper and usual enquiries as
to the solvency of B. B at the time of such sale, is insolvent. A must make
compensation to his principal in respect of any loss thereby sustained.
(c) A, an insurance-broker employed by B to effect an insurance
on a ship, omits to see that the usual clauses are inserted in the policy. The
ship is afterwards lost. In consequence of the omission of the clauses nothing
can be recovered from the underwriters. A is bound to make good the loss to B.
(d) A, merchant in England, directs B, his agent at Bombay, who
accepts the agency, to send him 100 bales of cotton by a certain ship. B,
having it in his power to send the cotton, omits to do so. The ship arrives
safely in England. Soon after her arrival the price of cotton rises. B is bound
to make good to A the profit which he might have made by the 100 bales of
cotton at the time the ship arrived, but not any profit he might have made by
the subsequent rise.