From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Respondeat superior", Latin for "let the master answer", is a legal doctrine which states that an employer is responsible for employee actions performed within the course of the employment. This rule is also called the "Master-Servant Rule".

When applied to physical torts an employer/employee relationship must be established and the act must be committed within the scope of employment (i.e. substantially within time and geographical limits, job description and at least with partial intent to further employer's business).

Historically, this doctrine was applied in master/servant or employer/employee relationships. If the employee or servant committed a civil wrong against a third party, the master or employer could be liable for the acts of their servant or employee when those acts were committed within the scope of the relationship. The third party could proceed against both the servant/employee and master/employer. The action against the servant/employee would be based upon the direct responsibility of the servant/employee for his conduct. The action against the master/employer is based upon the theory of vicarious liability, by which one party can be held liable for the acts of another.

Employer/employee relationships are the most common area wherein respondeat superior is applied, but often the doctrine is used in the agency relationship. In this, the principal becomes liable for the actions of the agent, even if the principal did not directly commit the act. There are three considerations generally: [1] Was the act committed within the time and space limits of the agency? [2] Was the offense incidental to, or of the same general nature as, the responsibilities the agent is authorized to perform? and [3] was the agent motivated to any degree to benefit the principal by committing the act? The degree to which these are answered in the affirmative will dictate the degree to which the doctrine can be applied.

May also be written as respondent superior.