ICA Section 200: Ratification of unauthorized act cannot injure third person
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 10: Agency
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200. Ratification of unauthorized act cannot injure third person . An act done by one person on behalf of another, without such other person's authority, which, if done with authority, would have the effect of subjecting a third person to damages, or of terminating any right or interest of a third person, cannot, by ratification, be made to have such effect.
Illustrations
(a) A, not being authorized thereto by B, demands, on behalf of B, the delivery of a chatte1*, the property of B, from C, who is in possession of it. This demand cannot be ratified by B, so as to make C liable for damages for his refusal to deliver.
(b) A holds a lease from B, terminable on three months' notice. C, an unauthorized person, gives notice of termination to A. The notice cannot be ratified by B, so as to be binding on A.
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
- 189. Agent's authority in an emergency
- 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
- 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