Ratification of Agent's Unauthorized Land Sale Contract

A dispute arose concerning the validity of a contract for the sale of land which was signed by an agent who lacked a formal, written power of attorney, despite the buyer having subsequently executed the sale and taken possession. The Court of Cassation quashed the lower court's decision, ruling that the ratification of the agent's act by the principal, through the execution of the sale and taking possession, retrospectively validated the contract, even though the initial mandate was not in writing as required for a conveyance of real property.