18. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of a first one of said queried agents, in response to said query: determining whether said subject message is within said first agent's domain of responsibility; and where said subject message is not within said first agent's domain of responsibility but said first agent has further agents downchain of said first agent, querying at least one of said further agents whether the further agent considers said subject message to be in the further agent's domain of responsibility.
18. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of a first one of said queried agents, in response to said query: determining whether said subject message is within said first agent's domain of responsibility; and where said subject message is not within said first agent's domain of responsibility but said first agent has further agents downchain of said first agent, querying at least one of said further agents whether the further agent considers said subject message to be in the further agent's domain of responsibility. 23. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of said first agent: receiving at least one further response from said further agents; evaluating said further responses to determine which if any claim said subject message and also satisfy predetermined quality criteria; and where at least one of said further responses claims said subject message and also satisfies said predetermined quality criteria, returning a response to said initiator agent claiming said subject message as being within said first agent's domain of responsibility.