Power of attorney 

Use this document: 

• To authorise the agent to represent you on a specific matter or within a framework of tasks over a long period of time.
• Whether or not the agent should have the right to sign on your behalf.
• Whether the agent is to carry out professional tasks or act in a private capacity.

Protect yourself legally as a principal with the following options: 

• Limitation of the duration, territory, addressees and value of acts that the agent may conclude on your behalf. 
• Establishment of a ratification period until the expiry of which the agent’s acts become binding. 
• Imposition of a condition precedent or limitation of the duration of the power of attorney, with the option to revoke at any time. 

Power of attorney document

A power of attorney form authorises an agent or representative to act on behalf of the principal, providing proof of this authority to any third party.

A company may use a power of attorney template:

• To grant signature powers to an employee or a director
• To allow a partner, reseller, or agent to agree on behalf of the business
• To permit a representative to make necessary legal actions if the principal is not able to.

Key aspects of a power of attorney document

• A power of attorney sample may be used by a company, a registered business, or an individual, for private or commercial purposes.
• The representative may be a professional or private agent, employee, or any other person, and not only an attorney.
• The POA template may grant various powers, for example, collection of mail, signature of agreements, representation before tax authorities, etc.
• The POA is generally limited in time, territory, scope of business, etc.

Seven tips on a power of attorney document

With our power of attorney UK form, the principal may appoint an agent and define the scope of representation, for example:

• Limit the power of attorney to a specific territory or recipient.
• Impose a maximum monetary limit per each concluded act.
• Define a ratification period during which the principal must confirm such an act.
• Stipulate if any document should be signed by the agent exclusively, or countersigned by a second agent, employee, or director.

A representative and third-party recipients expect clarity, which is possible with our power of attorney document, for example:

• Definition of the scope of documents that can be signed by the agent without prior approval.
• Authorisation or restriction to delegate the POA to a third party or an employee.
• Unambiguous definition of the scope of representative powers, recipients, territory, and duration.

Create a power of attorney document with AdminTech

With an online document builder from AdminTech and our power of attorney UK template, all you need to do is indicate the necessary information, and the document shall be drafted in real time. The sample may include:

• Parties’ identification and contact details
• Scope of powers, territory, and authorised recipients
• Signature authority
• Right to delegate the POA to subcontractors or employees.

FAQ on a power of attorney document

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney document allows any person or company to represent the principal in any matter, for example:

• Signing business agreements
• Representing before authorities, filing claims, and accessing files
• Making or receiving payments, accessing bank accounts, and other information
• Carrying out administrative acts, registrations, obtaining permissions
• Acting in the name and on behalf of the business on social media and for sales purposes.

When do you need a POA?

A power of attorney form is necessary to prove that a representative is able to act in the name and on behalf of the principal, as proof to third parties. A business would use a separate POA, for example:

• Not to disclose the terms of the consultancy agreement that includes the power of attorney
• To allow an employee to act on behalf of a company without registering him or her as a director
• To limit or extend representative powers beyond what is authorised in the initial contract.

What is the difference between general and special power of attorney?

A power of attorney template allows you to draft and create general or special POA. The key difference is:

• Special POA is fairly limited in time or scope
• General POA provides broad powers and usually for a long time.

What is the duration of the POA?

A power of attorney sample allows you to define the start, duration, and end of the authorisation, for example:

• Preliminary condition or form for the POA to enter into force
• Automatic expiration date
• Right to revoke the POA at any time without cause.

What form is required for a power of attorney?

The only credible way to create a POA is to create power of attorney in written form. There are actually 2 types of power of attorney:

• Internal authorisation, which may result from any agreement, POA, or verbal consent.
• External power, which is a signed document proving such authorisation to any third party.

Should I notarise the power of attorney?

There are cases where a standard power of attorney form will not be sufficient, and a notarised act would be necessary in lieu:

• In case of death – a POA is not a substitute for a will
• To sell land – in this case, a notarised act is necessary
• To appoint a director – this is done in the articles of association.

We advise you to notarise and apostille a power of attorney template if you intend to use it outside of the United Kingdom.

What if the agent exceeds his power of attorney?

If you have entrusted the agent with the contract formation authority in the power of attorney UK form, the agreements concluded by the agent are in principle binding. However, here are some safeguards:

• The third-party recipient must prove that the agent has had such power or attorney
• The agent that acts without authority or exceeds his authority is liable for damages suffered by the third party
• The principal is not bound if an agent acts without or outside his authority.
• The third party is not protected if it knew or should have known that the agent has no such authority.

How can a company ensure that it is correctly represented in business?

To guarantee a fruitful representation experience, AdminTech recommends to:

• Determine the scope of representation with the most possible clarity.
• Evaluate the level of trust and choose safeguards and limitations accordingly.
• Limit the duration to a reasonable timeline and review or renew your power of attorney UK template regularly.
• Create power of attorney with the AdminTech document builder.
• Keep track of all relevant records and communications.
• Revoke the power of attorney for an employee who has been dismissed.