ICA Section 189: Agent's authority in an emergency
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 10: Agency
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189. Agent's authority in an emergency. 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.
Illustrations
(a) An agent for sale may have goods repaired if it be necessary.
(b) A consigns provisions to B at Calcutta, with directions to send them immediately to C, at Cuttack. B may sell the provisions at Calcutta, if they will not bear the journey to Cuttack without spoiling.
Official reference: India Code, Legislative Department — checked: 29 September 2026.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 182. "Agent" and "Principal" defined
- 183. Who may employ agent
- 184. Who may be an agent
- 185. Consideration not necessary
- 186. Agent's authority may be expressed or implied
- 187. Definitions of express and implied authority
- 188. Extent of agent's authority
- 190. When agent cannot delegate
- 191. "Sub-agent" defined
- 192. Representation of principal by sub-agent properly appointed
- 193. Agent's responsibility for sub-agent appointed without authority
- 194. Relation between principal and person duly appointed by agent to act in business of agency
- 195. Agent's duty in naming such person
- 196. Right of person as to acts done for him without his authority: effect of ratification
- 197. Ratification may be expressed or implied
- 198. Knowledge requisite for valid ratification
- 199. Effect of ratifying unauthorized act forming part of transaction
- 200. Ratification of unauthorized act cannot injure third person
- 201. Termination of agency
- 202. Termination of agency, where agent has an interest in subject-matter
- 203. When principal may revoke agent's authority
- 204. Revocation where authority has been partly exercised
- 205. Compensation for revocation by principal, or renunciation by agent
- 206. Notice of revocation or renunciation
- 207. Revocation and renunciation may be expressed or implied
- 208. When termination of agent's authority takes effect as to agent, and as to third persons
- 209. Agent's duty on termination of agency by principal's death or insanity
- 210. Termination of sub-agent's authority
- 211. Agent's duty in conducting principal's business
- 212. Skill and diligence required from agent
- 213. Agent's accounts
- 214. Agent's duty to communicate with principal
- 215. Right of principal when agent deals, on his own account, in business of agency without principal's consent
- 216. Principal's right to benefit gained by agent dealing on his own account in business of agency
- 217. Agent's right of retainer out of sums received on principal's account
- 218. Agent's duty to pay sums received for principal
- 219. When agent's remuneration becomes due
- 220. Agent not entitled to remuneration for business misconducted
- 221. Agent's lien on principal's property
- 222. Agent to be indemnified against consequences of lawful acts
- 223. Agent to be indemnified against consequences of acts done in good faith
- 224. Non-liability of employer of agent to do a criminal act
- 225. Compensation to agent for for injury caused by principal's neglect
- 226. Enforcement and consequences of agent's contracts
- 227. Principal how far bound, when agent exceeds authority
- 228. Principal not bound when excess of agent's authority is not separable
- 229. Consequences of notice given to agent
- 230. Agent cannot personally enforce, nor be bound by, contracts on behalf of principal
- 231. Rights of parties to a contract made by agent not disclosed
- 232. Performance of contract with agent supposed to be principal
- 233. Right of person dealing with agent personally liable
- 234. Consequence of inducing agent or principal to act on belief that principal or agent will be held exclusively liable
- 235. Liability of pretended agent
- 236. Person falsely contracting as agent, not entitled to performance
- 237. Liability of principal inducing belief that agent's unauthorised acts were authorised
- 238. Effect, on agreement, of misrepresentation or fraud by agent