Ratification (Section 196 – 200)

Section 196 : Right of person as to acts done for him without his authority: Effect of ratification

Where acts are done by one person on behalf of another, but without his knowledge or authority, he may elect to ratify or to disown such acts. If he ratify them, the same effects will follow as if they had been performed by his authority.


Section 197 : Ratification may be expressed or implied

Ratification may be expressed or may be implied in the conduct of the person on whose behalf the acts are done.

Illustrations

(aA, without authority, buys goods for B. Afterwards B sells them to C on his own account; B‘s conduct implies a ratification of the purchase made for him by A.

(bA, without B‘s authority, lends B‘s money to C. Afterwards B accepts interest on the money from C. B‘s conduct implies a ratification of the loan.


Section 198 : Knowledge requisite for valid ratification

No valid ratification can be made by a person whose knowledge of the facts of the case is materially defective.


Section 199 : Effect of ratifying unauthorised act forming part of a transaction

A person ratifying any unauthorised act done on his behalf, ratifies the whole of the transaction of which such act formed a part.


Section 200 : Ratification of unauthorised 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

(aA, not being authorised thereto by B, demands, on behalf of B, the delivery of a chattel, 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.

(bA holds a lease from B, terminable on three months’ notice. C, an unauthorised person, gives notice of termination to A. The notice cannot be ratified by B, so as to be binding on A.


IMPORTANT CASE LAWS

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