a partnership (or an employer) will be liable for wrongful conduct of a partner (or employee) if that conduct was so closely connected with acts the partner (or employee) was authorised to do that, for the purpose of the liability of the firm (or the employer) to third parties, the wrongful conduct may fairly and properly be regarded as done by the partner (or employee) while acting in the ordinary course of the firm's business (or the employee's employment).

The House of Lords confirmed that questions relating to liability of an employer for wrongs committed by an employee (ie "vicarious liability") do not depend on whether the employee has specific authority to do the particular act which constitutes the wrong but rather on whether or not he has general authority to do acts of that kind.

For relevant general notes see Employer/vicarious liability for acts of employees and/or Partnerships/general .