An agent who is acting on behalf of their principal may cause harm to third parties. When this happens, the question that arises is whether the principal, or the agent, or both of them are liable to the person harmed.  This liability can arise in different circumstances.  For example, there may be liability in tort law, or under the provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.

The examples in this section of the eStudy module illustrate what factors are taken into account to decide who is liable when an agent's wrongful acts cause harm to other persons.