Equal-Dignities Rule Law and Legal Definition
Equal-dignities rule refers to a legal doctrine requiring an agent to perform all acts authorized by a principal. An agent can perform those acts only if the agent’s authority is set forth in writing. Equal-dignities rule is essentially a corollary to the statute of frauds. Under this rule, a contract would be void unless reduced to writing. For example, those contracts subject to the statute of fraud, authority to enter into such a contract must also be in writing. However, under the equal dignities rule, an agent cannot usually estop his/her principal by conduct alone. [Shoals v. Home Depot, Inc., 422 F. Supp. 2d 1183 (E.D. Cal. 2006)].
