Delegatus non potest delegare

“Delegatus non potest delegare” is a legal principle in Latin that means “a delegate cannot delegate.” This principle is often applied in agency law, which involves relationships where one person (the principal) grants authority to another person (the agent) to act on their behalf. The principle states that if someone has been delegated authority to act on behalf of another, they cannot further delegate that authority to a third party without explicit permission.

To make it simpler, if you appoint someone to represent you as a delegate, that person cannot appoint someone else to represent you without your consent. This principle is crucial in maintaining clarity and accountability in legal relationships, as it ensures that the person initially granted authority remains ultimately responsible for the actions taken on their behalf.