Fiduciary standards describe how people should behave when they manage the affairs of others. The key elements of the concept are loyalty – put your responsibilities to others ahead of your own interests – and prudence – discharge your responsibilities with care and skill.
Statutes define the fiduciary duties of company directors. The common law imposes demanding fiduciary obligations on other agents, such as the trustees of pension funds. In 1984, a landmark legal ruling on this matter was made in the UK. A case had been brought by Arthur Scargill, the leader of Britain’s main mining union. He sought the end of coal board investments in overseas businesses. The judge rejected Mr Scargill’s claim, on the basis that it is the duty of trustees to increase the fund’s value for its beneficiaries, regardless of their moral or political views. Some lawyers have adopted a strict interpretation of the ruling.
Such rigour and relative clarity is rare. Common law fiduciary obligations may exist in other areas of finance but the extent is uncertain. Contracts, such as those of asset managers, often attempt to exclude fiduciary obligations.