WHAT 表见代理 MEANS
What 表见代理 means
Apparent authority sits between actual authority and unauthorized agency. The analysis focuses on the appearance of authority attributable to the principal and whether the counterparty’s belief was reasonable in the circumstances.
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Why the role matters
This matters in China because titles, company chops, prior dealings and internal authority restrictions may not align. Counterparties should verify authority rather than relying on a job title alone.
CONTEXT
Where you see the term
ContextWhat it means there
Contract signingEmployee signs without clear internal approval.
Chop disputesPossession or use of seals contributes to the authority analysis.
LitigationCourt tests what the counterparty reasonably understood.
TRANSLATION NOTE
文/A
Translation note
表见代理 is “apparent authority” or “apparent agency”. It does not mean the person actually had authority.
AUTHORITY
Primary legal basis
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Example
A sales director repeatedly signs contracts with the company chop and the company performs them. A later contract is disputed internally; the counterparty argues the company created an appearance of authority.
SOURCES AND REVIEW
Primary authorities.
18 Sep 2026
OFFICIAL SOURCESUPPORTSCHECKED
PRC Civil Code
PRC Civil Code
MAINTAINED BYChina Legal Portal Editorial
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