Law Commons^™

Constructive Trusts - Land Purchased By Agent In Violation Of Fiduciary Obligation To Principal - Statute Of Frauds

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiffs employed defendant to negotiate for the purchase of a certain tract of land, defendant to receive a 5% commission if the purchase was made. Defendant contracted with the owner for the purchase of the land in his own name and made the down payment with his own funds. Plaintiffs demanded an assignment of the contract and on defendant's refusal brought suit to compel a conveyance of the property by defendant as trustee. Held, that a constructive trust may be created where an agent purchases with his own money property which he is employed to purchase for his principal, …