Ratification Definition:

In Re Moore, the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia adopted these words:

"Ratification is an act by a principal after the agent has acted with the third party, whereby the principal confirms that what the agent did at the time without authority of the principal, is now binding on the principal....

"(There are) three conditions that had to be satisfied to constitute a valid ratification. First, the agent whose act is sought to be ratified must have purported to act for the principal. Secondly, at the time the act was done the agent must have had a competent principal. Thirdly, at the time of the ratification the principal must be legally capable of doing the act in question. This analysis brings out the four features of ratification which are important: the principal’s position; the agent’s intentions; the legal quality of the act done by the agent; and the time when ratification takes place."

REFERENCES:

• Duhaime, Lloyd, Agency LawRe Moore, 2006 NCSC 216