Law Commons^™

Liability Of Master For Wilful Or Malicious Acts Of Servant (I), Floyd R. Mechem

Michigan Law Review

In general-While it is well settled that the principal or master is responsible to third persons for the negligent act of his servant or agent, committed within the scope of his authority, it has been held in many cases that he is not liable for the agent's wilful or malicious act. In the language of Judge Cowen, which fairly states the doctrine of these cases, "the dividing line is the wilfulness of the act." It is perhaps not strange that a distinction in the master's responsibility for negligent acts and for wilful acts should constantly present itself. The very idea …