Ratification may be expressed or implied
Section 197 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 deals with ratification may be expressed or implied. Ratification may be expressed or may be implied in the conduct of the person on whose behalf the acts are done. The Act came into force on 01 Sep 1872.
Ratification may be expressed or may be implied in the conduct of the person on whose behalf the acts are done.
Illustrations
(a) A, without authority, buys goods for B. Afterwards B sells them to C on his own account; B's conduct implies a ratification of the purchase made for him by A.
(b) A, without B's authority, lends B's money to C. Afterwards B accepts interest on the money from C. B's conduct implies a ratification of the loan.
Section 197, The Indian Contract Act, 1872 (Act 9 of 1872).
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
-
… Thus, any perceived irregularity in authority to sign the Agreement was remedied as Appellant impliedly consented to/ ratified Mr. Akash Jain's authority, in accordance with Sections 186 and 197 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. 9.4. Definition of a fraudulent practice contained in Section I Clause 15(ii)(b) of the Tender Document, which has been relied on by Respondent No. 3 to terminate the Agreement, is inapplicable to the present case. Neither the show-cause notice, nor the Termination Letter …
-
… 3 also since the property belonging to the plaintiffs 2 and 3 is also mentioned in Ex.A.4 and the plaintiffs 2 and 3 have not only executed the power of attorney deed appointing the husband of the first plaintiff as their power agent but also have authorised him to file a suit that will amount to ratification under Section 197 of the Indian Contract Act. The learned counsel further submitted that in view of the ratification Ex.A.4 ought to be held as valid and if Ex.A.4 is held to be valid then there is an implied surrender of possession by the defendant. Therefore according to the learned counsel the defendant ceased to be a tenant in …
Questions about Section 197
What does Section 197 of the Indian Contract Act deal with?
Section 197 of the Indian Contract Act is headed "Ratification may be expressed or implied". Ratification may be expressed or may be implied in the conduct of the person on whose behalf the acts are done.
How do I find court cases under Section 197 of the Indian Contract Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Contract Act 197, section 197 Contract Act, section 197 of the Indian Contract Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 197 of the Indian Contract Act come into force?
Section 197 of the Indian Contract Act, cited as Contract Act 197, came into force on 01 Sep 1872, having been enacted on 25 Apr 1872. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 73. Compensation for loss or damage caused by breach of contract1822 words
- 23. What considerations and objects are lawful, and what not596 words
- 74. Compensation for breach of contract where penalty stipulated for577 words
- 28. Agreements in restraint of legal proceeding void512 words
- 25. Agreement without consideration, void, unless it is in writing and registered, or is a promise to compensate for something done, or is a promise to pay a debt barred by limitation law423 words
- 16. "Undue influence" defined397 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.