Opinion ID: 1148283
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: exclusion of proof of agency

Text: MONY claims that the lower court committed error in not allowing MONY to introduce documents, which reflected administrative services performed by Corporate Planning and Wimberly for the Surgical Clinic during the period from 1973 to 1980, specifically relating to procuring and servicing of other life insurance policies through the plan. Counsel for Corporate Planning and Wimberly offered to stipulate that they were agents for the Surgical Clinic for administrating the particular plan involved from 1974 through 1980, when they were terminated by MONY. The lower court restricted the evidence to that particular plan. In the case sub judice, there is no issue as to whether Corporate Planning and Wimberly were agents of Surgical Clinic or MONY. Actually, Corporate Planning and Wimberly held a position of dual agency. The issue before the Court was whether or not Corporate Planning and Wimberly were acting as agents of MONY in relation to their acts regarding the MONY life insurance policy or if they were acting outside the scope of that agency status. MONY cites Luke Constr. Co. v. Jernigan, 252 Miss. 9, 172 So.2d 392 (1965), which held that certificates of insurance were indicative of a course of conduct which was competent evidence on the issue of whether or not Jones was the agent of Luke or was an independent contractor. That question was not before the lower court. The contention is rejected. C.