Questions of agency regularly arise in the work of commercial practitioners. This book addresses these questions by offering clear and accessible analysis of the main principles and theory of agency law, as well as detailed explanation of the Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations of 1993. Forensic analysis of case law is combined with a practical approach to the law which accurately reflects modern commercial realities, considering the application of agency principles according to particular classes of agents operating in the major commercial sectors. Areas discussed include actual and apparent authority of an agent, agency of necessity, want of authority and ratification looking at the legal relations between principal and agent, and between third party as well as the relations between agent and third party, sub-agency and termination of agency. This fourth edition has been updated to include significant new case law and legislation, while also considering its impact on the principles of agency law. This includes how the European Withdrawal Act (2018) will affect English courts’ interpretation of the Regulations, discussion of an agent’s apparent authority with examination of the disputed decision in East Asia Company Ltd v PT Satria Tirtatama Energindo, agents and contractual undertakings in restraint of trade, as well as the distinction between agents, employees and independent contractors with regards to vicarious liability, as exemplified in three Supreme Court decisions, Various Claimants v Catholic Child Welfare Society, WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc v Various Claimants and Barclays Bank v Various Claimants.