What principle requires clients to understand and agree to agency relationships before implementation?

The principle of informed consent is fundamental in ensuring that clients are fully aware of and agree to the nature of the agency relationships before any processes or actions are initiated. This concept emphasizes the ethical obligation of professionals to provide clients with all pertinent information regarding the agency relationship, including potential risks, benefits, and the scope of authority held by the agent.

Informed consent is crucial in fostering trust and transparency in professional-client relationships. By ensuring that clients understand what they are agreeing to, it helps to prevent misunderstandings and ensures that they are making choices based on a comprehensive understanding of their circumstances.

While agency disclosure relates to the obligation to inform clients about the agency relationship, it does not encompass the clients' agreement to the terms. Client responsibility refers to the expectations placed upon clients to be engaged and accountable in the process. The duty of care pertains to the obligation of the agent to act in the best interests of the client but does not directly address the necessity of client agreement to the relationship. Thus, informed consent stands out as the most applicable principle in this context.