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Power of attorney
A power of attorney is agency: the Civil Code’s rules on acting in another’s name, wearing property clothes. Four legal ideas do all the work — capacity, scope, revocation, and the protection of third parties who rely on the instrument. Understand those and every practical rule about POAs makes sense.
Plain-language explainer of the legal frame. Execution of a property POA — drafting, notarisation, the overseas attestation chain — is procedural work, documented and delivered at poas.ae. Misuse and disputes are advocates’ territory.
The principal must have capacity when granting; property dealings demand the formal instrument — notarised, and where executed abroad, attested through the recognised chain. Formality is not bureaucracy: it is what lets a trustee, a bank and a counterparty rely on the document.
Agency extends only as far as the words. For disposals, practice demands the special instrument — the property identified, the power to sell and receive stated. A general POA that never mentions sale does not sell property; ambiguity resolves against the act, which is why counters refuse broad instruments.
The principal may revoke; the estate of a deceased principal terminates the agency; and — the part people miss — revocation protects the principal fully only once those who rely on the instrument are on notice. A revoked POA that nobody was told about is a live risk. Formal revocation plus notification, and an inventory of every instrument ever issued.
Acts outside the words are challengeable; funds misapplied are recoverable; and the criminal track opens where dishonesty is involved. Matters at this stage belong with an independent licensed advocate — bring the complete instrument history.
Once carried through the recognised attestation chain with sworn translation — the formality is the validity.
No — death terminates the agency; succession takes over.
Yes, and for disposals you should: narrow scope is the principal’s protection.
Scope and instructions frame the challenge; take advice with the full record.
Last updated: 28 July 2026 · Editorial method