What is the applicability of the the doctrine delegatus non protest delegare to government agencies?

Full question:

What is the applicability of the the doctrine delegatus non protest delegare to government agencies.

• Category: Government
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Alabama

Answer:

The doctrine delegatus non potest delegare which provides that one appointed to do an act cannot delegate it to another is said to apply to things like a Power of Attorney unless authorized by the POA or statute. Your question appears to ask whether a government agency that is charged with responsibility can delegate that responsibility or power to a third party. 

We find 40 Court Opinions that may address the issue.  The search was for the terms delegatus non potest delegare government.  There could be more and come of these may not apply. You should be able to find most of these Court Opinions online.

1.  873 P.2d 627 (Alaska App. 1994), A-4840, State v. Breeze
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Court of Appeals of Alaska   873 P.2d 627   May 6, 1994   3
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...prosecutor. Breeze moved to depose a number of government officials, and the state moved to
quash the...
...statute, and by the common law doctrine of delegatus no potest delgare (absent consent of the
principal, delegated power...
...somehow barred by the common law doctrine of delegatus non potest delegare, we are unable
to find


2.  485 A.2d 724 (Pa. 1984), Clites v. Upper Yoder Tp.
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Supreme Court of Pennsylvania   485 A.2d 724, 506 Pa. 349   December 18, 1984   9
______________________________________________________________________
...he is assigned. It is indispensable to good government that a certain amount of discipline be
maintained...
...once made, in my view, the records became government records whose manner of disposal was
regulated by...
...belonging to or received or kept by the government for information or record. The majority states
the...
...of the police force, and this function is non-delegable. The chief of police is employed by


3.  597 P.2d 899 (Wash.App. Div. 1 1979), 5967, Jeffers v. City of Seattle
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Court of Appeals of Washington, Division 1   597 P.2d 899, 23 Wn.App. 301   May 14,
1979   12______________________________________________________________________
...general principle of law, expressed in the maxim 'Delegatus non potest delegare,' that a
delegated power may not be further


4.  243 N.W.2d 894 (Iowa 1976), 58379, Warren County v. Judges of Fifth Judicial Dist.
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Supreme Court of Iowa   243 N.W.2d 894   June 30, 1976   20
______________________________________________________________________
...function may be delegated to another branch of government only if adequate guidelines for its
exercise accompany...
...delegate cannot delegate.' This is a translation of Delegatus non potest delegare. Black's Law
Dictionary 513 (Revised Fourth 


5.  197 N.W.2d 555 (Iowa 1972), 55105, Bunger v. Iowa High School Athletic Ass'n
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Supreme Court of Iowa   197 N.W.2d 555   May 11, 1972   21
______________________________________________________________________
...The board shall make rules for its own government and that of the . . . pupils . . . and require
the...
...a public corporation or municipality or instrumentality of government may, like a private
corporation or person, do...
...general principle of law, expressed in the maxim 'delegatus non potest delegare,' that a
delegated power may not


6.  441 S.W.2d 361 (Mo. 1969), 54023, Ruggeri v. City of St. Louis
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Supreme Court of Missouri   441 S.W.2d 361   April 14, 1969   5
______________________________________________________________________
...Missouri and not unmindful of the ancient maxim, delegatus non potest delegare, we hold that
the ordinance contains sufficient criteria


7.  258 Cal.App.2d 391, 31789, Schecter v. Los Angeles County
______________________________________________________________________ 
California Court of Appeals, Second District, Second Division   258 Cal.App.2d 391, 65
Cal.Rptr. 739   January 30, 1968   8
______________________________________________________________________
...of supervisors and for the constitution, regulation and government thereof * * *. '5. For the fixing
and regulation by...
...power concerned.' The general rule under the maxim 'delegatus non potest delegare' is that a
delegated power, when made


8.  217 A.2d 141 (N.J.Super.Ch. 1966), C--3136--63, City of Bayonne v. Palmer
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Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division   217 A.2d 141, 90 N.J.Super. 245   February
4, 1966   15
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...should be of concern to all--commuters and non-commuters alike--should these citizens find it
necessary...
...to other authorities as theretofore. Paragraph 12 excuses non-performance due to court or
agency order. Paragraph...
...largely agricultural. From time to time the Federal Government came to the aid of private
business enterprises...
...of authority was being gathered in the Federal Government, federal subsidies were curtailed and
the problem was


9.  382 S.W.2d 402 (Ky. 1964), Griffin v. City of Paducah
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Court of Appeals of Kentucky   382 S.W.2d 402   September 25, 1964   4
______________________________________________________________________
...under the commission and city manager form of government. KRS 81.010 and 89.390 et seq...
...such cities under the city manager form of government affect laws relating to pension funds for
police...
...entirely proper, and does not violate the rule delegatus non potest delegare. So the council may
authorize the


10.  144 A.2d 879 (Del.Ch. 1958), Graves v. Commissioners of Lewes
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Court of Chancery of Delaware, Sussex County   144 A.2d 879, 37 Del.Ch. 451   September
22, 1958   0
______________________________________________________________________
...provided other terms of the agreement such as non-interference with others authorized to
excavate and sell...
...res adjudicata and estoppel and that of judicial non-interference with the non-fraudulent
discretionary dealings of a municipality with its...
...These views of the Chancellor as to the non-exclusive nature of rights broader in most respects


11.  116 A.2d 893 (Del.Ch. 1955), Civ. A. 644, Adams v. Clearance Corp.
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Court of Chancery of Delaware, New Castle County   116 A.2d 893, 35 Del.Ch.
318   September 26, 1955   1
______________________________________________________________________
...157, 260 P.2d 823. While the maxim delegatus non potest delegare has been a principle of
Anglo-Saxon law


12.  184 P.2d 594 (Wyo. 1947), 2363, State ex rel. R. R. Crow & Co. v. Copenhaver
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Wyoming   184 P.2d 594, 64 Wyo. 1   September 9, 1947   8
______________________________________________________________________
...and efficiency of the citizens, on which the government of society depends. Morrison v. SmithPocahontas
Coal...
...is
well settled that when an instrumentality of government is vested with discretion and such
discretion
is...
...for
the purpose of cooperating with the Federal Government in providing vocational education,
and
that what constituted...
...Germany
and Japan, lumber was declared by the government to be an essential commodity in
the
prosecution





13.  119
So. 425 (La. 1928), 29580, State ex rel. Higgins, Dist. Atty. v. Aicklen

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Supreme Court of Louisiana   119 So. 425, 167 La. 456   November 26, 1928   8
______________________________________________________________________
...strictly a legislative function. No department of the government except the Legislature can create
a municipal corporation...
...But the Legislature cannot, without violating the maxim "delegatus non potest delegare,"
delegate to a designated tribunal or board


14.  188 A.D. 113, People ex rel. Beinert v. Miller
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division   188 A.D. 113   May 16, 1919   16
______________________________________________________________________
...system of law. An exception to the law delegatus non potest delegare always has existed in the
case of granting


15.  101 A. 716 (Md. 1917), 49, Lee v. Leitch
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Court of Appeals of Maryland   101 A. 716, 131 Md. 30   June 28, 1917   7
______________________________________________________________________
...the utmost importance to the existence of good government." Lake Roland Elevated R. R. Co. v.
Baltimore...
...promoting the great interest and insuring the good government of the city. To have and exercise
within...
...may deem expedient in maintaining the peace, good government, health and welfare of the city
of Baltimore...
...city for the maintenance of the peace, good government, health, and welfare of the city than is 


16.  69 So. 35 (La. 1915), 21,357, City of New Orleans v. Sanford
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Louisiana   69 So. 35, 137 La. 628   June 11, 1915   16
______________________________________________________________________
...the infection and eradicating it altogether, the federal government was called on and requested
to take charge...
...appeal of the question of the jurisdiction vel non of the recorder's court, but has jurisdiction...
...being that the entire powers and duties of government of the city of New Orleans, as at...
...12 provides as follows: 'The following subdivisions of government shall be grouped under the
five departments herein


17.  84 A. 902 (Pa. 1912), 12, Minsinger v. Rau
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania   84 A. 902, 236 Pa. 327   May 6, 1912   69
______________________________________________________________________
...body, the legislature has abolished "Republican Form of Government," and has "abridged the
privileges or immunities of...
...guarantees to every State a republican form of government, and against the principle that
taxation and representation...
...been imposed upon the legislative department of the government, it must employ agencies to
accomplish that object...
...of taxation,. . . Accordingly, from the beginning of our government, the legislature have divided
the State into counties


18.  108 S.W. 97 (Mo. 1908), State ex rel. Karrenbrock v. Mississippi Valley Trust Co.
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Missouri, First Division   108 S.W. 97, 209 Mo. 472   February 26, 1908   31
______________________________________________________________________
...was entered, plaintiff filed a "motion for judgment non obstante veredicto" in which for grounds it
was...
...will, even had he undertaken to delegate them: Delegatus non potest delegare. [1 Perry on
Trusts (5 Ed.), sec


19.  54 S.E. 368 (S.C. 1906), Blowers v. Southern Ry.
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Supreme Court of South Carolina   54 S.E. 368, 74 S.C. 221   April 18, 1906   10
______________________________________________________________________
...messenger in the employ of the United States government, and as such it was his duty to...
...the contract of the defendant company with the government to transport the mail. The plaintiff,
acting under...
...that Blowers was in the employ of the government." (a) With reference to this specification the
Page...
...belief that he was doing it for the government; that the defendant company furnished a room
wherein


20.  60 A. 970 (Vt. 1905), A. C. Blanchard v. City of Barre
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Vermont   60 A. 970, 77 Vt. 420   May 18, 1905   16
______________________________________________________________________
...and municipal affairs of the city and the government thereof is vested in the mayor and board...
...be delegated, the maxim of the law being delegatus non potest delegare. An individual clothed
with judicial functions cannot

 21.  29 Ill.App. 404 (Ill.App. 1888), Continental Ins. Co. v. Ruckman
______________________________________________________________________ 
Court of Appeals of Illinois, Fourth District   29 Ill.App. 404   February 1, 1888   0
______________________________________________________________________
...by the agent in person. The maxim of delegatus non potest delegare does not apply in such a
case." See


22.  28 Mo.App. 463 (Mo.App. 1888), Mulroy v. Supreme Lodge Knights of Honor
______________________________________________________________________ 
Court of Appeals of Missouri, St. Louis   28 Mo.App. 463   January 3, 1888   62
______________________________________________________________________
...to a third party or a subordinate agency. Delegatus non potest delegare, is a favored maxim of
the law. State


23.  9 A. 547 (N.H. 1887), Western Union Tel. Co. v. State
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Supreme Court of New Hampshire   9 A. 547, 64 N.H. 265   March 11, 1887   13
______________________________________________________________________
...can be found, since the formation of the government, where a claim for interest on taxes has...
...is in the nature of a penalty for non-payment of the tax within the time directed...
...taxes, as part of the machinery by which government is able to collect them;' but such penalty...
...delegation of power, if intended, can be sustained. Delegatus non potest delegare is an apt
maxim. But


24.  143 Mass. 598 (1887), City of Newton v. Belger
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Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, Middlesex   143 Mass. 598, 10 N.E. 464   February
24, 1887   56
______________________________________________________________________
...Neither does the ordinance conflict with the maxim "delegatus non potest delegare." The cases
are numerous in which ordinances have


25.  20 N.W. 401 (S.D. 1884), Territory ex rel. Smith v. Scott
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Territory of Dakota   20 N.W. 401, 3 Dakota 357   September 20, 1884   20
______________________________________________________________________
...selecting a site for the permanent seat of government, and erecting the capitol building of the
territory...
...governor and legislative assembly of the seat of government at Yankton by act approved April 8,
1862...
...has ever since been the lawful seat of government; that all sessions of the legislative assembly
have...
...archives kept there; and that said seat of government has never since been changed by the
governor


26.  61 N.H. 264 (N.H. 1881), State v. Hayes
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of New Hampshire   61 N.H. 264   December 1, 1881   55
______________________________________________________________________
...weight of competent evidence. The principle of local government authorizes the grant of limited
powers of local...
...persons to others, since the maxim, delegata potestas non potest delegari, applies equally to the
delegation of public...
...in accord with the principles of our democratic government, and is the method frequently
adopted in submitting


27.  62 Ga. 645 (Ga. 1879), Johnston v. Mayor & Council of City of Macon
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Georgia   62 Ga. 645   February 1, 1879   34
______________________________________________________________________
...be slow to stop the wheels of municipal government, and throw its affairs into anarchy. Whilst,
therefore...
...of one per cent. for ordinary expenses of government, and this percentage cannot be increased
except for...
...cause why they should not be fined for non-payment of these assessments. The prayer of the...
...imposed to meet all the other expenses of government. Also, that no other ad valorem tax had


28.  58 Ga. 227 (Ga. 1877), Atkinson v. The Central Georgia Agricultural & Manufacturing Co.
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Georgia   58 Ga. 227   January 1, 1877   0
______________________________________________________________________
...not a de jure was a de facto government, dominant in the state of Georgia, to which...
...and such lands so owned by the Confederate government fell into the hands of the United
States...
...title thereto, by such conquest, passed into the government of the United States. 3. Whilst it is...
...in himself, had passed out of him, a non-suit was right. Ejectment. Confederate States. Title.
Conquest


29.  39 Tex. 455 (Tex. 1873), Harcourt v. Good
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Texas   39 Tex. 455   January 1, 1877   0
______________________________________________________________________
...and boroughs, are public corporations, created by the government for political purposes. They
are invested with subordinate...
...a system, especially in small corporations… . The municipal government is really but a branch of
the state...
...is excepted out of the general powers of government, and all laws contrary thereto are void. By...
...and privilege which is a maxim in state government. Every honest employment is honorable; it is
beneficial


30.  39 Tex. 56 (Tex. 1873), Finlay v. Merriman
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Supreme Court of Texas   39 Tex. 56   January 1, 1877   4
______________________________________________________________________
...relieve himself of the responsibility of his undertaking. " Delegatus non potest delegare. " " An
attorney is not relieved from responsibility by


31.  40 Cal. 497, 2,192, Chambers v. Satterlee
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Supreme Court of California   40 Cal. 497   January 1, 1871   23
______________________________________________________________________
...the Act that he might delegate his powers. Delegatus nondelegare potest . The warrant is but a
power or authority


32.  20 Mich. 304 (Mich. 1870), O'Brien v. O'Brien
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Michigan   20 Mich. 304   May 3, 1870   14
______________________________________________________________________
...reservation were surveyed and sub-divided by the Government of the United States, into
townships, sections and...
...are located and described according to the said Government survey. At the time of the execution
and...
...cut were surveyed and sub-divided by the Government of the United States, in the usual
manner...
...223; Zerrott v. Taylor, 9 Cranch 43.--The Government cannot resume its grant. A grant is a


33.  43 Mo. 353 (Mo. 1869), Ruggles v. Collier
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Supreme Court of Missouri   43 Mo. 353   March 1, 1869   119
______________________________________________________________________
...be construed as being more than directory, a non-compliance with which would not avoid the
contract...
...council" and substituting " mayor" instead. IV. The maxim delegatus non potest delegare applies
to every case where functions in


34.  29 Tex. 335 (Tex. 1867), Gabel v. The City of Houston
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Supreme Court of Texas   29 Tex. 335   January 1, 1867   16
______________________________________________________________________
...not at all, if they prefer, and that government shall not establish any religion for the people...
...this power on the legislature of a state. Delegatus non potest delegare. Whether the legislature
has power to pass


35.  20 Cal. 142, People ex rel. Attorney Gen. v. Turner
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of California   20 Cal. 142   April 1, 1862   3
______________________________________________________________________
...the power, such delegated power would be void-- delegatus non potest delegare . 4. There is no
principle of estoppel involved


36.  8 Cal. 378, Upham v. Supervisors of Sutter County
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Supreme Court of California   8 Cal. 378   October 1, 1857   5
______________________________________________________________________
...chief and principal thing necessary in a county government is a county seat, and in pursuance
of...
...action of the Legislature, and while the maxim delegatusnon potest delegare, is undoubtedly
true, the extent of its
 

37.  6 Cal. 143, People v. Town of Nevada
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Supreme Court of California   6 Cal. 143   April 1, 1856   31
______________________________________________________________________
...must be exercised by that branch of the government; and in such cases the maximum delegatus
non potest delegare applies. Second, this Court has repeatedly refused


38.  2 Iowa 230 (Iowa. 1855), Sanders v. State
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Iowa, Iowa City   2 Iowa 230   December 1, 1855   6
______________________________________________________________________
...Leland, 2 Peters 657, Judge STORY says, "That government can scarcely be free, where the
estate of...
...of Iowa, (art. 3, sec. 1), divides the government of Iowa into three separate parts: "the
legislative...
...duty of making the laws. The old maxim, delegatus non potest delegare, applies with full force.
Neither of


39.  3 Del. 335 (Del. 1841), Steward v. Jefferson
______________________________________________________________________ 
Court of Errors and Appeals of Delaware   3 Del. 335   June 1, 1841   0
______________________________________________________________________
...This violates the first principle of a republican government that, as to citizens, taxation goes with
and...
...the principles of the common law, which is delegatus non potest delegare. Thus in Reybold v.
Dodd this court


40.  40 Mass. 360 (Mass. 1839), Boston Water Power Company v. Boston And Worcester Rail
Road Corporation
______________________________________________________________________ 
Supreme Court of Massachusetts, Suffolk   40 Mass. 360   November 1, 1839   1
______________________________________________________________________
...Pick. 185. It is an axiom of our government, that the legislature acts by a delegated authority...
...is an axiom of the common law, that delegatus non potest delegare. Charles River Bridge v.
Warren Bridge, 7

 
Other references:

http://www.academia.edu/7452226/A_PROJECT_SUBMITTED_FOR_THE_PARTIAL_FULFILLMENT_OF_THE_FIVE_YEARS_INTEGRATED_DEGREE_OF_LAW_HONOURS_ON_Sub_Delegation-A_concept_2.2_Sub_delgation_in_India_2.3_Object_of_Sub-delegation_2.4_Sub_delegation_in_the_USA_4._Chapter_III_Conclusion_References

http://repository.law.umich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1287&context=mjil