When an agent operates within their authority, who is bound by their actions?

When an agent operates within their authority, the principal is bound by their actions. In the context of agency relationships, the principal is the party who authorizes the agent to act on their behalf. These actions taken by the agent, as long as they are within the scope of their granted authority, create legal obligations for the principal. This means that any contracts or agreements made by the agent within their authorized powers are enforceable, and the principal must adhere to those obligations.

In this relationship, the agent acts as a representative of the principal, and the principal benefits from the ability to delegate certain responsibilities, while also being held accountable for the agent's actions. This is a fundamental concept in agency law, which emphasizes that the principal is responsible for the agent's actions as long as those actions align with the authority given to the agent. The other options do not accurately reflect the binding nature of the agency relationship in this context.