Legal Definitions - mandant

A mandant is the person or entity who gives instructions or entrusts a specific task or responsibility to another party (known as the mandatary) under a contract of mandate. Essentially, the mandant is the principal who initiates the agreement and whose interests are being served by the mandatary's actions.

• Example 1: Personal Favor

  Imagine Elena is going on a business trip and asks her trusted friend, David, to feed her cat and water her plants while she is away. In this scenario, Elena is the mandant because she is the principal entrusting David with specific tasks to be performed on her behalf and for her benefit.

• Example 2: Limited Professional Service

  A small business owner, Mr. Henderson, needs a specific contract reviewed for legal compliance before signing it. He hires a lawyer, Ms. Kim, solely for this review, not for ongoing legal representation. Mr. Henderson is the mandant because he is the principal giving Ms. Kim the specific instruction to perform the task of reviewing the contract.

• Example 3: Financial Task

  Mrs. Rodriguez, due to a temporary injury, asks her adult son, Carlos, to go to the bank and deposit a check into her account. Mrs. Rodriguez is the mandant in this situation, as she is the principal entrusting Carlos with the specific responsibility of handling her financial transaction on her behalf.