Opinion ID: 2049617
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Apparent Agency.

Text: To find that a contract existed between plaintiff and Heritage, the jury had to find that Mr. Hamza or Mr. Manger had the authority to bind Heritage. In this regard, defendant claims that the justice erroneously stated the law of apparent agency when he instructed the jury. Specifically, defendant contends that the justice's instructions failed to make it clear that it is the conduct of the principal, not of the agent, to which the jury must look to determine whether the agent had the apparent authority to bind the corporation. See Libby v. Concord General Mutual Insurance Co., 452 A.2d 979, 982 (Me.1982). We may disturb a judgment on the ground of an erroneous jury instruction only if the instruction failed sufficiently to inform the jury correctly and fairly in all necessary respects of the governing law, Isaacson v. Husson College, 332 A.2d 757, 762 (Me. 1975), and only if the instruction resulted in prejudice to the complaining party. Murray v. Eastern Maine Medical Center, 447 A.2d 465, 466 (Me.1982). Our review of the instruction challenged here indicates that it was correct in all material respects. We also perceive no way that defendant could have been prejudiced by the instruction in light of the testimony given on cross-examination by defendant's own witness, Thomas Williams. Mr. Williams stated under oath that both Mr. Manger and Mr. Hamza had the authority to hire personnel at the Samoset and that Mr. Williams personally directed Mr. Hamza to handle the employment negotiations with plaintiff. Mr. Williams' testimony clearly indicates that the authority to employ was expressly granted to Messrs. Manger and Hamza. There is no evidence to the contrary. Given this undisputed testimony as to the existence of actual authority, defendant cannot be heard to complain that it was prejudiced by the instruction on the law of apparent agency.