Fiduciary Law and Moral Norms
This chapter explores the connection between fiduciary relationships and moral norms or standards. It first considers the distinctions between employee “loyalty,” obligations of good faith, and the duty to act in the principal’s best interests. It then examines the two moral norms covered by the fiduciary’s duty of loyalty: the “bad faith breach” norm and the “necessary fiduciary norm.” The “bad faith breach” norm prohibits the fiduciary from taking advantage of his or her position by breaching, in bad faith, a duty owed to his or her principal. This norm applies to others who are not fiduciaries, such as employees and parents. The chapter explains how the “bad faith breach” norm relates to “breach of trust” or breach of faith and how the necessary fiduciary norm is associated with the norm of natural justice, which prohibits bias in decision-making. Finally, it reviews a test case that illustrates what sort of “duty of loyalty” arises in familial relationships.