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  • Trust

    Trust

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Change Appointor and/or Guardian of Family Trust - $110
    • Change of Name of Family Trust - $110
    • Change Trustee of Family Trust - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $110
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $65
    • Family Trust - $165
    • Family Trust - Streaming & Bamford Update - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to Allow Change of Appointor and Guardian - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to allow Sole Trustee - $55
    • Family Trust - Update to Exclude Foreign Persons (NSW) - $198
    • Family Trust - Wind up/Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2008/09 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2009/10 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2010/11 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2011/12 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2022/23 - Multi-Use - $363
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2022/23 - Single-Use - $132
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2023/24 - Multi-Use - $363
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2023/24 - Single-Use - $132
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2024/25 - Multi-Use - $363
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2024/25 - Single-Use - $132
    • Unit Trust - $165
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
  • Superannuation

    Superannuation

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Commercial Lease - $275
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $110
    • Derivative Risk Statement for SMSF - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 15/16 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 16/17 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 17/18 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 18/19 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 19/20 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 20/21 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 21/22 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 22/23 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 23/24 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 24/25 - $65
    • Pension Pack for Self Managed Super - $299
    • Product Disclosure Statement (general) - $66
    • Product Disclosure Statement (Pension only) - $99
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $165
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint Administrator - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint an Auditor - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Insure The Members - $33
    • SMSF - Update Rules - $165
    • SMSF Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement - $330
    • SMSF Restricted Commercial Property Assessment - $695
    • SMSF Restricted Residential Property Assessment - $315
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
  • Estate Planning

    Estate Planning

    • Codicil to change the Executor - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - SA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - WA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial, Personal/Health) - QLD - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - WA - $55
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Will - Married or Defacto No Children - $95
    • Will - Married or Defacto with Children - $95
    • Will - Single No Children - $110
    • Will - Single With Children - $110
  • Commercial

    Commercial

    • Advanced Legal Health Check for Businesses - $18
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Commercial Lease - $275
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $110
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $65
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
  • Employment

    Employment

    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Employment - Conduct Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Employee Expenses Policy - $55
    • Employment - Performance Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Request for Medical Information - $33
    • Employment - Termination Letter - $33
    • Employment - Transferring Employee Letter - $33
    • Employment Contract - $120
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $110
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
  • Company

    Company

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Adopt Committee Recommendations kit - $33
    • Appoint a Committee kit - $33
    • Appoint an Alternate Director kit - $33
    • Appoint Managing Director & Confer Powers kit - $33
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Change Registered Office kit - $33
    • Commercial Lease - $275
    • Company (ELodgement) - $716
    • Company (No Elodgement) - $99
    • Company Constitution Update - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $110
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - Compulsory Insurance - $197
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - No Insurance - $197
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $65
    • Employment Contract - $120
    • Family Trust - Wind up/Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $110
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Minutes for Members to Inspect Books - $33
    • Minutes for Resigning Director - $33
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Remove a Managing Director kit - $33
    • Remove and Replace a Director kit - $44
    • Replace Company Secretary kit - $44
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $165
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Transfer of Shares Kit - $0
    • Unit Trust - $165
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
  • CPD Webinars

    CPD Webinars

    • CPD Webinar - Tax and Cryptocurrency – A Square Peg in a Round Hole - $110
    • CPD Webinar - Unlocking Microsoft 365 Copilot - $110
    • CPD Webinar - UPEs and Div 7A – Implications of the Recent Bendel Decision - $110
    • CPD Webinar - When Directors are Personally Liable - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Foreign Trust Taxation Issues - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Advising on Family Trusts in the 21st Century - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - AI in Professional Practices - Risks and Benefits - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Drafting Estate Planning Documents to meet Litigation Risks - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Employee Share Schemes - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - End Of Financial Year SMSF Planning 2025 - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - End Of Financial Year Tax Rollup 2025 - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Family Law and Trusts - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - How Binding are Financial Agreements - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Professional Advisers as Appointor of their Client’s Family Trust - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Recent Changes in Family Law - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Sexual Harassment Laws in Australia - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Small Business Restructures and Director Penalty Notices - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Tax & Family Trusts - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Testamentary Trusts 101 - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Trust Distributions and Section 100A - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - When Directors are Personally Liable - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Where Death Benefit Nominations Go Wrong - $110
  • All documents

    All documents

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Adopt Committee Recommendations kit - $33
    • Advanced Legal Health Check for Businesses - $18
    • Appoint a Committee kit - $33
    • Appoint an Alternate Director kit - $33
    • Appoint Managing Director & Confer Powers kit - $33
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Change Appointor and/or Guardian of Family Trust - $110
    • Change of Name of Family Trust - $110
    • Change Registered Office kit - $33
    • Change Trustee of Family Trust - $110
    • Codicil to change the Executor - $99
    • Commercial Lease - $275
    • Company (ELodgement) - $716
    • Company (No Elodgement) - $99
    • Company Constitution Update - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • CPD Webinar - Tax and Cryptocurrency – A Square Peg in a Round Hole - $110
    • CPD Webinar - Unlocking Microsoft 365 Copilot - $110
    • CPD Webinar - UPEs and Div 7A – Implications of the Recent Bendel Decision - $110
    • CPD Webinar - When Directors are Personally Liable - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $110
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Derivative Risk Statement for SMSF - $65
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - Compulsory Insurance - $197
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - No Insurance - $197
    • Disclaimer - Email - $55
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $65
    • Employment - Conduct Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Employee Expenses Policy - $55
    • Employment - Performance Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Request for Medical Information - $33
    • Employment - Termination Letter - $33
    • Employment - Transferring Employee Letter - $33
    • Employment Contract - $120
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - SA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - WA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial, Personal/Health) - QLD - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - WA - $55
    • Family Trust - $165
    • Family Trust - Streaming & Bamford Update - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to Allow Change of Appointor and Guardian - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to allow Sole Trustee - $55
    • Family Trust - Update to Exclude Foreign Persons (NSW) - $198
    • Family Trust - Wind up/Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $110
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 15/16 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 16/17 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 17/18 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 18/19 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 19/20 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 20/21 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 21/22 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 22/23 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 23/24 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 24/25 - $65
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Minutes for Members to Inspect Books - $33
    • Minutes for Resigning Director - $33
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Pension Pack for Self Managed Super - $299
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Product Disclosure Statement (general) - $66
    • Product Disclosure Statement (Pension only) - $99
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Remove a Managing Director kit - $33
    • Remove and Replace a Director kit - $44
    • Replace Company Secretary kit - $44
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $165
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint Administrator - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint an Auditor - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Insure The Members - $33
    • SMSF - Update Rules - $165
    • SMSF Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement - $330
    • SMSF Restricted Commercial Property Assessment - $695
    • SMSF Restricted Residential Property Assessment - $315
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
    • Transfer of Shares Kit - $0
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2008/09 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2009/10 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2010/11 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2011/12 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2021/22 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2022/23 - Multi-Use - $363
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2022/23 - Single-Use - $132
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2023/24 - Multi-Use - $363
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2023/24 - Single-Use - $132
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2024/25 - Multi-Use - $363
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2024/25 - Single-Use - $132
    • Unit Trust - $165
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Foreign Trust Taxation Issues - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Advising on Family Trusts in the 21st Century - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - AI in Professional Practices - Risks and Benefits - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Drafting Estate Planning Documents to meet Litigation Risks - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Employee Share Schemes - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - End Of Financial Year SMSF Planning 2025 - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - End Of Financial Year Tax Rollup 2025 - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Family Law and Trusts - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - How Binding are Financial Agreements - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Professional Advisers as Appointor of their Client’s Family Trust - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Recent Changes in Family Law - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Sexual Harassment Laws in Australia - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Small Business Restructures and Director Penalty Notices - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Tax & Family Trusts - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Testamentary Trusts 101 - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Trust Distributions and Section 100A - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - When Directors are Personally Liable - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Where Death Benefit Nominations Go Wrong - $110
    • Will - Married or Defacto No Children - $95
    • Will - Married or Defacto with Children - $95
    • Will - Single No Children - $110
    • Will - Single With Children - $110
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Print Version Back

Part Two – Contracting with Agents of a Company

Issue: 523 - Friday, 13 October 2017

In this Issue

  1. Part Two - Contracting with Agents of a Company

1. Part Two - Contracting with Agents of a Company

by John Wojtowicz (Director - Law Central Legal)

This article is the second part of a two part series concerning the method by which companies can validly execute documents pursuant to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (‘the Act’).

An agreement will become legally binding after it has been properly executed.

Part one of this series illustrated the importance of correctly executing contracts through the signatures of a company’s directors pursuant to section 127 of the Act. This article will illustrate the risks associated with executing contracts through an agent of a company and demonstrate the diligence that should be adopted when doing so.

Section 126 of the Act states that:

(1) A company’s power to make, vary, ratify or discharge a contract may be exercised by an individual acting with the company’s express or implied authority and on behalf of the company. The power may be exercised without using a common seal.

(2) This section does not affect the operation of a law that requires a particular procedure to be complied with in relation to the contract.

Section 126 of the Act gives a company the power to execute a document through an authorised agent. An agent can be given the requisite authority to bind the company through express written delegation, implied authority through the agent’s position of employment and in circumstances where the agent has been represented as having a certain authority and that representation was relied upon.

If the agent does not have requisite authority to enter into the contract, the contract may be void and unenforceable.

Diligence when contracting through an agent

In the absence of express written delegation, authority can be difficult to establish. In order to ensure a document has been properly executed, diligence on the part of the contracting parties is imperative when entering into a contract through an agent.

The best way to ensure the agent has requisite authority to enter into the contract is to obtain written proof of authority from the agent’s company before entering into a contract with the agent. This will ideally prevent any disputes arising in the future and provide valuable evidence if issues regarding the authority of the agent do arise.

Further, it is important that the agent signs the contract in their capacity as an agent and not as a director of a company. This was demonstrated in the case of Knight Frank Australia Pty Ltd & Anor v Paley Properties Pty Ltd & Ors [2014] SASCFC 103.

Gold and Platinum Members read on for a discussion of the impact of the Knight Frank Australia Pty Ltd case.

Platinum Members, click here to view content

Conclusion

A party relying on an agent’s authority to enter into a contract should obtain written proof of that authority. Further, the execution clause of a contractual agreement should make clear that the agent is executing the document in their capacity as an authorised agent of their company. A contractual agreement may be deemed unenforceable when signed by agents in cases where they do not have the requisite authority, the contract has been incorrectly executed or the circumstances suggest that the agent did not have the appropriate authority pursuant to section 128(4) of the Act.

Read on for circumstances where the authority can be implied through the Agent’s employment position…

If you have contracted with an agent where they had no express actual authority, the Court can imply authority through an agent’s position of employment. For example, a contract signed by the Managing Director or Chief Executive Officer may bind that company as entering into contracts is within the ordinary scope of their position.

Senior employees with specific responsibilities may be deemed agents due to the ordinary responsibilities of their position. For example:

  • Marketing managers entering into contracts for the printing of pamphlets are likely to have implied authority.
  • Company secretaries may bind the company with respect to minor administrative expenses. However, they will not have implied authority to bind the company to major commercial arrangements.

Disclaimer: The content of this Bulletin is general information only. It is not legal advice. Law Central recommends you seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this Bulletin.

Related documents:

  • Build a Company (ELodgement)
  • Directors Indemnity Agreement - No Insurance
  • Directors Indemnity Agreement - Compulsory Insurance
  • Loan Agreement (No Security)
  • Advanced Legal Health Check for Businesses

Related webinars:

  • Webinar Recording - Asset Protection - Dealing With Risk In Hard Times
  • Webinar Recording - Avoiding Business Disputes
  • Webinar Recording - Navigating Small Business Restructure Roll-Overs


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