Legal Definitions - equal-dignities rule

The equal-dignities rule is a legal doctrine that applies when one or more parties to a contract act through an agent. It states that an agent can only perform acts that require a writing signed by the principal if the agent's authority is also set forth in a writing.

For example, if a person hires a real estate agent to sell their property, the agent can only sign a contract on behalf of the owner if the owner has given them written authorization to do so. This is because the contract requires a writing signed by the owner, and the agent's authority to sign on their behalf must also be in writing.

The equal-dignities rule is an adjunct to the statute of frauds, which requires certain contracts to be in writing to be enforceable. It helps ensure that all parties involved in a contract are aware of the authority of the agent and that the contract is legally binding.