Court Opinion

ID: 9603941
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:11:41.672737+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:15.544874
License: Public Domain

SUTIN, Judge (specially concurring). The agreement shows that Spencer Smith signed as an agent for the Committee to Save Black Mesa. The principal was disclosed. Smith was not a party to the contract and he was not liable for the failure of the Committee to perform the contract. To hold Smith personally liable, plaintiffs must prove that the agent lacked authority to bind the Committee. Corps Construction, Ltd. v. Hasegawa, 522 P.2d 694 (Hawaii, 1974); Mr. Steak, Inc. v. Ken-Mar Steaks, Inc., 522 P.2d 1246 (Colo.App.1974) ; Fink v. Montgomery Elevator Company of Colorado, 161 Colo. 342, 421 P.2d 735 (1966); Moran v. Loef-fler-Greene Supply Company, 316 P.2d 132 (Okl.1957). Plaintiffs did not prove that Smith lacked authority to sign the contract. Ellis v. Stone, 21 N.M. 730, 158 P. 480, L.R.A.1916F, 1228 (1916) holds that the mere fact that a person sustains an agency relation to another does not prevent him from being personally liable on a contract wi.th a third person. If it appears from the contract that he bound himself personally, he is liable. Ricker v. B-W Acceptance Corporation, 349 F.2d 892 (10th Cir. 1965). The contract in question does not show that Smith bound himself personally to pay for the vehicle.