धारा 143

Section 143 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, states that 'any person who is of the age of majority according to the law to which he is subject, and who is of sound mind, may employ an agent.' This means that any person who has attained the age of majority and is of sound mind can appoint an agent to act on his behalf. The section emphasizes the importance of the principal's capacity to contract, as an agent derives his authority from the principal. The courts have interpreted this section to mean that a person who is not of sound mind, or who is a minor, cannot appoint an agent, and any attempt to do so would be void. For instance, if a person who is mentally incapacitated attempts to appoint an agent, the agency would be void, and the agent would not have the authority to bind the principal.