What does the Latin phrase qui facit per alium, est perinde ac si facit per se ipsum mean?

The Latin phrase qui facit per alium, facit per se (often rendered as qui facit per alium, est perinde ac si facit per se ipsum) translates to "he who does (something) through another does it by himself".12

In the context of the law of agency, this maxim serves as a foundational principle. It expresses the legal concept that the actions of an authorized agent are attributed to the principal, effectively making the principal responsible for those acts as if they had performed them personally.12

This doctrine is central to the understanding of vicarious liability, particularly within English and American legal systems, where it is used to justify holding a master or employer accountable for the conduct of a servant or agent acting within the scope of their employment. While the application of this principle varies across different legal traditions, it remains a cornerstone for defining the relationship between a principal and their representative in both commercial and legal matters.234