What encompasses the full sum of obligations owed to a client by an agent?

The full sum of obligations owed to a client by an agent is best described by fiduciary duties. Fiduciary duties are the legal and ethical responsibilities of an agent to act in the best interests of their client. This encompasses various obligations, including loyalty, confidentiality, full disclosure, and accounting.

In an agency relationship, the agent is expected to represent the client's interests, but the term "agency relationship" does not specifically detail the extent of the obligations, which is why it is broader than fiduciary duties. Contractual obligations relate to the specific terms agreed upon in any contracts between the agent and client, which may not cover all the responsibilities agents have towards their clients. Ethical responsibility falls under a broader framework of conduct and guidelines but does not specifically delineate the binding obligations that agents owe to their clients, which are clearly defined by fiduciary duties.

Therefore, fiduciary duties encapsulate not just the ethical expectations, but the comprehensive set of responsibilities that an agent must uphold in service to their client.