An agent has the procedural capacity to sue to enforce a right of his principal, when specially authorized to do so. For all procedural purposes, the principal is considered the plaintiff in such an action. The defendant may assert any defense available against the principal, and may enforce his rights against the principal in a reconventional demand.
Art. 694.Agent
Title III. Parties · Chapter 2. Parties Plaintiff · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 694 lets a specially authorized agent sue to enforce the principal's right, but treats the principal as the actual plaintiff for every procedural purpose, so a defendant can raise any defense available against the principal and pursue a reconventional demand against the principal directly.
Full Text of Art. 694
Plain-English Summary
An agent acting for someone else does not automatically get to sue in the agent's own name on the principal's behalf — Article 694 requires special authorization for that specific purpose before the agent can bring suit to enforce the principal's right.
Even once authorized, the agent is not treated as the real party to the case. Article 694 is explicit that the principal is considered the plaintiff for every procedural purpose. That has practical consequences: a defendant can raise any defense that would work against the principal directly, exactly as if the principal had filed the suit personally. And if the defendant has a claim of their own against the principal, Article 694 lets the defendant bring it as a reconventional demand — Louisiana's term for what other states call a counterclaim — against the principal rather than the agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any agent sue on behalf of the person they represent?
Only when specially authorized to bring that particular suit — general authority to act for the principal is not enough under Article 694.
If an agent sues for a principal, who is treated as the real plaintiff?
The principal is considered the plaintiff for every procedural purpose, even though the agent is the one who filed and is prosecuting the suit.
Can a defendant raise defenses against the agent, or only against the principal?
A defendant may assert any defense available against the principal, since Article 694 treats the principal as the actual party regardless of who filed suit.
What is a reconventional demand, and can a defendant bring one against the principal under Article 694?
A reconventional demand is Louisiana's term for a counterclaim, and Article 694 lets the defendant enforce rights against the principal through one, rather than against the agent personally.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the vLex (Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2026 Edition). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: agent suing on behalf of principal Louisianaprincipal treated as plaintiff Louisianareconventional demand against principalArticle 694 Louisiana Code of Civil Procedurespecially authorized agent to sue