Final answer:
A representative with the authority to act on behalf of someone else in a legally binding manner is also known as an agent, and they play a significant role in various legal contexts, including corporate and governmental representation. Representatives must navigate contractual rights, civil rights, and civil liberties carefully to fulfill their duties effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
An individual with a right to act on behalf of someone else in a legally binding way is known as a representative and carries the authority to make decisions, enter into contracts, or perform other actions as if they were the person they are representing. In legal terms, such a person may be referred to as an agent when they act on behalf of a principal. This concept is crucial in various aspects such as corporate law, where officers of a corporation act for the collective interests of the company's shareholders, or in government, where elected officials act as representatives of their constituents.
Representatives must understand the contractual rights, civil rights, and civil liberties associated with their role to ensure they do not surpass their given authority. Moreover, in the context of the legal system, individuals charged with a crime have the right to legal counsel, often provided by a representative such as a lawyer, to defend their rights in court.