OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Friday

May 24, 2013

Law & Ethics: In Court Articles

Associate Guilty of Misrepresenting Homebuilder's Qualifications

Publish Date: Tue, 10/01/1996

A New Jersey sales associate was found guilty of misrepresenting a homebuilder's qualifications even though the salesperson had no knowledge of the falsity.

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Precedence of Listing Contract Upheld in Commission Dispute

Publish Date: Sun, 09/01/1996

Sellers may terminate their agency relationship with a broker but may not avoid paying the broker the commission specified in the listing contract, a California Court of Appeal has ruled.

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'Grossly Excessive' Legal Awards Ruled Unconstitutional

Publish Date: Thu, 08/01/1996

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down an award of $2 million in punitive damages won by an Alabama man who claimed that his car dealer had partly repainted a BMW automobile before selling it to him in 1990.

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Federal Judge Upholds 'Adverse Commission Splits'

Publish Date: Mon, 07/01/1996

Realty companies can legally impose "adverse commission splits" on cooperating brokers from other companies as long as they do so unilaterally and not by agreement with another company.

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Developer Convicted in Wetlands Destruction

Publish Date: Sat, 06/01/1996

Developers who willfully fill wetlands will face prosecution. That's the word from federal prosecutors in the wake of the conviction of a Maryland developer who allegedly destroyed 70 acres of wetlands near the Potomac River.

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How 'Real' Is Your Independent Contractor Status?

Publish Date: Mon, 04/01/1996

Can salespeople be considered "employees" even when they have a contract classifying them as independent contractors for tax purposes?

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