Fiduciary Mechanics

Abstract

There is a stubborn confusion as to the scope of fiduciary accountability. That confusion may be relieved in part by examining the fiduciary aspects of the mechanic undertaking. Some might think it fanciful to regard mechanics as subject to fiduciary accountability. That, however, is only the sequelae of the existing confusion. Mechanics are engaged in limited access arrangements, and all such arrangements are regulated by fiduciary accountability. It does not matter that an arrangement may be of modest character, or may not involve subjective trust. Other employment and independent contractor arrangements further illustrate the nature of the opportunism mischief that fiduciary regulation is designed to control. Professors, lawyers, police officers and interior designers have fiduciary obligations to the extent of their limited access. That fuller appreciation of the nature of the fiduciary jurisdiction leads to rejection or reconstruction of a number of propositions that enjoy currency in the courts today.