Section 189, Contract Act 1872: Agent's Authority In An Emergency

Section 189 under the Chapter X (Agency - Appointment and authority of agents) of the Contract Act, 1872 of India - 'Agent's authority in an emergency', is reproduced hereunder:—

“An agent has authority, in an emergency, to do all such acts for the purpose of protecting his principal from loss and would be done by a person or 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 be 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.”