entruster

An entruster is a person or organization that confers possession, control, or authority over property or responsibilities to another party for a specified purpose. The entruster remains the owner or principal and relies on the entrusted party to act in accordance with agreed terms. The term is not a standard title in many legal dictionaries; more common labels include bailor (in bailment), grantor or settlor (in trusts), or principal in agency relationships. Consequently, the exact duties and rights of an entruster vary by jurisdiction and context.

In bailment, the entruster (the bailor) delivers property to a bailee (the entrustee) for safekeeping or a stated purpose. In trust law, property may be transferred to a trustee by a settlor or trustor, who entrusts assets to be managed for beneficiaries. In agency or power-of-attorney arrangements, a principal entrusts authority to an agent.

Duties of an entruster typically include providing clear instructions and appropriate property or authority, ensuring lawful transfer, and fulfilling any contractual terms. The entrusted party assumes duties consistent with the relationship, such as safekeeping, proper use, or faithful administration; breach by either side can lead to liability.

Examples include lending a vehicle to another person, depositing goods with a warehouse, or authorizing a service provider to access personal data. In information technology or cloud services, a user or owner might be described informally as the entruster when granting access or permissions to a system.

See also: entrust, bailment, trustee, entrustee, grantor, settlor, agency.