14.5 Delegation of Authority — Rule and Exceptions

The rule: delegatus non potest delegare — an agent cannot delegate his authority to another (the principal chose him). The exceptions (five): (i) the principal's consent (express or implied); (ii) custom of trade (the advocate's clerks, the broker's assistants); (iii) purely ministerial/clerical acts (delivery, collection); (iv) necessity/emergency; (v) where the delegated act involves no discretion.