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Connecticut Broker James has a buyer client, Olivia, and a seller client, Mr. Park, in the same transaction. Both have signed written dual agency consent forms. During the transaction, Mr. Park confides to James that he is going through a divorce and must sell the property within 60 days or face financial hardship. May James share this information with Olivia to strengthen her negotiating position?

Correct Answer

A) No, because Mr. Park's personal financial circumstances are confidential information that James must protect

Mr. Park's divorce and urgent need to sell within 60 days are personal financial circumstances that he shared with James in confidence. Under Connecticut dual agency rules, the duty of confidentiality survives the dual agency arrangement. James is prohibited from disclosing this information to Olivia, even though she is also his client, because doing so would use one client's confidential information to benefit the other — a clear breach of the dual agent's duty of neutrality and confidentiality.

Answer Options
A
No, because Mr. Park's personal financial circumstances are confidential information that James must protect
B
Yes, because the seller's motivation to sell quickly is a material fact that must be disclosed to the buyer
C
No, because dual agents are prohibited from communicating with either party about the transaction
D
Yes, because Olivia is also James's client and is entitled to all information James possesses

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

dual_agencyconfidentialityseller_motivationCGS_20-325c

Related Concepts

The highest legal obligation of trust and confidence owed by an agent to their principal, requiring the agent to act solely in the principal's best interest.

An agency relationship where the agent agrees to act on behalf of the principal without receiving compensation.

An agency relationship created by the conduct or actions of the parties rather than by a written or oral agreement.

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