In the
United States, the
United Kingdom,
Canada and
South Africa,
apparent authority (also called "ostensible authority") relates to the doctrines of the
law of agency. It is relevant particularly in corporate law and constitutional law. Apparent authority refers to a situation where a reasonable third party would understand that an agent had authority to act. This means a principal is bound by the agent's actions, even if the agent had no
actual authority, whether express or implied. It raises an
estoppel because the third party is given an assurance, which he relies on and would be inequitable for the principal to deny the authority given. Apparent authority can legally be found, even if actual authority has not been given.