What is the principal's primary obligation to the agent?

The principal's primary obligation to the agent is to compensate the agent as agreed. This reflects the foundational nature of the agency relationship, where the agent acts on behalf of the principal. The agent undertakes specific responsibilities and tasks that typically involve time, effort, and expertise, and in return, they expect to be compensated for their services according to the terms laid out in their contract or agreement.

Compensation is critical because it incentivizes the agent to perform their duties effectively and is a key aspect of the contractual relationship between the principal and agent. Without agreed-upon compensation, the motivation for the agent to fulfill their obligations and represent the principal's interests may diminish, potentially leading to a breakdown in the agency relationship.

Other aspects, such as providing updates, offering legal protection, or ensuring ethical practices, may indeed be important responsibilities for the principal but are secondary in nature compared to the commitment to compensate as discussed in the context of an agency agreement.