A special power of attorney Dubai residents and companies use is a written authorisation that lets an agent carry out a specific legal act, or a defined type of acts, on the principal’s behalf. The agent may act only within the powers granted and what is necessarily incidental to them. The legal rules in this guide come from federal UAE law, so they apply across the UAE, including Dubai.
It is commonly used for sales, mortgages, settlements and certain banking, commercial and court-related steps, depending on the nature of the act and the requirements of the receiving authority.
The UAE Civil Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025), in force since 1 June 2026, regulates general and special agency, the limits of the agent’s authority, and the conditions for validity and termination.
This guide explains the types of special power of attorney, how it differs from a general power of attorney, the conditions for validity, how to define the agent’s powers, and how to notarise or cancel the document.
What Is a Special Power of Attorney Under UAE Law?
A special power of attorney is an authorisation by which the principal gives another person authority to perform a specific legal act, or a defined type of acts, in the principal’s name and on their account. The agent does not receive every legal power automatically. The agent is bound by the limits of the authorisation and the incidental acts necessary to carry it out.
Article 866 of the Civil Transactions Law describes agency as a contract under which the agent undertakes to perform a legal act in the name and on behalf of the principal. Article 870 requires a special power of attorney for acts that go beyond management and preservation, while Article 872 sets the scope of the powers the agent acquires and the necessary incidentals attached to them.
For that reason, the special power of attorney UAE law recognises is not defined by the title printed on the document. Its scope depends on the wording that identifies the act and the powers granted to the agent.
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 Promulgating the Civil Transactions Law, Articles 866, 870 and 872.
Special Power of Attorney Dubai: When Is It Required?
A special power of attorney is needed when a person wants to authorise someone else to perform a legal act that falls outside management and preservation, or when the transaction requires the powers to be stated clearly.
Under Article 870, any act outside management and preservation requires a special power of attorney that identifies the type of act and the dispositions it involves. Typical examples include:
- Sale: authorising the agent to carry out sale transactions within the scope of the authority.
- Mortgage: granting powers to create a mortgage or deal with it, as the authorisation allows.
- Donations: authorising dispositions that involve a gift, with the subject of the act specified as the law requires.
- Settlement: allowing the agent to settle a right or a dispute.
- Acknowledgement: authorising the agent to acknowledge a right or a fact within the permitted limits.
- Arbitration: granting powers connected with arbitration.
- Taking and tendering the oath: in cases where the law permits representation.
- Pleading before the court: subject to the rules governing judicial representation.
The same article allows a special agency to cover a defined type of legal acts without describing the subject of each act in detail, except for donations. A special power of attorney therefore does not have to be limited to a single act, provided it stays within the legal limits.
Types of Special Power of Attorney in the UAE
The type of special power of attorney Dubai authorities will accept depends on the act involved. It may relate to property, banking, commercial dealings, vehicles or court proceedings. The same principles apply whether you need a special power of attorney in Dubai or in another emirate, although each authority sets its own acceptance requirements.
Special Power of Attorney to Sell Property
A power of attorney can authorise a person to carry out a property sale, provided the powers are defined and the requirements of the competent property authority are met. Check the property details and the scope of authority, and confirm whether the wording allows the agent to sign documents or complete the sale and registration steps.
Notarising the document does not transfer ownership. Transfer and registration remain the responsibility of the competent property authority.
Special Power of Attorney for a Vehicle
A power of attorney can cover the sale of a vehicle or specific procedures such as licensing or transfer of ownership, according to the powers granted. A power to manage a vehicle is not the same as a power to sell it, because authority to manage does not necessarily include authority to dispose of ownership. For the detailed steps, see our guide to a power of attorney for car sale in the UAE.
Special Power of Attorney for Banks
A banking power of attorney authorises a person to carry out defined banking transactions within the limits permitted by the bank and the competent authorities. It may cover a specific transaction, submitting documents or following up an account, depending on the wording and the bank’s requirements. It should not be assumed to allow withdrawals, transfers or closing an account unless the wording permits it and the bank accepts it. Our guide to a banking power of attorney in the UAE sets out the requirements and notarisation.
Special Power of Attorney for Companies and Commercial Transactions
A company may need to authorise a person to sign a particular contract, follow up a commercial procedure or represent it in a defined transaction. In that case, verify the capacity of the person issuing the document and the extent of their powers under the trade licence, the constitutive documents and the company’s governing papers. Identify the authorised act and the authority before which the document will be used, especially where it creates financial obligations or contractual powers.
Special Power of Attorney for Court Cases
A special power of attorney can authorise a person to act in litigation, subject to the rules on representation before UAE courts. A power limited to a specific case is different from the special authority the law may require for certain judicial acts, such as settlement or waiver of a right.
Issuing a power of attorney to someone who is not licensed to practise law does not allow that person to carry out judicial representation reserved by law for lawyers or other authorised persons. These matters are governed by the Civil Procedure Law and the rules regulating the legal profession. For more detail, read our guide to a litigation power of attorney in the UAE.
General vs Special Power of Attorney: What Is the Difference?
The difference lies in the scope of powers and the acts the agent may perform, not in the title of the document. Article 871 provides that an agency worded in general terms, without specifying its purpose, authorises the agent to carry out acts of management only. Acts beyond management and preservation require a special power of attorney under Article 870.
| Comparison point | General power of attorney | Special power of attorney |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of authority | May cover several acts, depending on its wording | Identifies the act or acts the agent may perform |
| Agent’s powers | Set by the wording of the document and the law | Linked to the specific acts stated in the authorisation |
| Acts of management | May fall within a general agency | Can be defined in a specific provision |
| Sale, mortgage and donations | General wording alone is not enough | Require a special authorisation |
| Limits on the agent | Depend on the wording of the authorisation | Confined to the stated acts and their necessary incidentals |
| Typical use | Suitable for the acts it covers | Suitable for acts that need defined powers |
Does a General Power of Attorney Cover Management and Sale?
A general power of attorney worded in unspecified terms does not give the agent power to sell or mortgage. It is limited to acts of management under Article 871. Acts of management that the law describes include leasing for no more than three years, preservation and maintenance, collecting rights and paying debts, and some acts that management requires, such as selling perishable movables.
Sale and other acts outside management and preservation need a specific authorisation. That is why a special power of attorney that deals with management differs from one that includes powers to dispose of property or rights.
What Powers Does a Special Power of Attorney Grant?
A special power of attorney Dubai principals sign gives the agent authority to carry out the acts stated in it, together with the necessary incidentals according to the nature of the act, custom and the intention of both parties. Under Article 872, the agent’s capacity is confined to the matters specified in the agency and their necessary incidentals, while Article 874 governs the agent’s duty to stay within the limits of the authority.
Can an Agent Go Beyond the Powers Granted?
As a rule, the agent must stay within the powers in the document. Article 874 allows departure from those limits where it is more beneficial to the principal, or where the principal could not be notified beforehand and the circumstances make it likely that the principal would have agreed. The agent must then notify the principal of the departure promptly.
These cases are not a general licence to act outside the authorisation.
Can a Power of Attorney Allow Self-Dealing?
A power of attorney may include powers to sell to third parties or to carry out an act in which the agent is a party. However, authority to sell should not be read as permission to sell to oneself. The issue depends on the wording of the document, the legal rules on conflict of interest and dealing with oneself, and the requirements of the receiving authority. State the intended act expressly before the document is approved, and avoid wording that could be read more widely than the principal intends.
How to Define the Agent’s Powers
The document should contain enough detail to identify:
- The type of legal act required.
- The asset or transaction concerned, where relevant.
- The authority before which the agent will act.
- Powers to sign, submit and receive documents.
- Limits on any financial dispositions allowed.
- The duration of the authorisation, if the principal sets a time limit.
- Whether the agent may delegate to another person, if that is permitted and intended.
Clear wording reduces ambiguity when the document is relied on later.
Special Power of Attorney Dubai: Conditions for Validity
Article 868 of the Civil Transactions Law sets three conditions for a valid agency, relating to the principal’s right to act, the agent’s capacity, and the nature of the act. Article 867 addresses the legal form required for the agency according to the nature of the act.
1. The Principal’s Capacity and Right to Act
The principal must be entitled to carry out personally the act for which the agency is granted. A power of attorney cannot authorise someone else to perform an act the principal could not lawfully perform.
2. The Agent’s Capacity to Perform the Act
The agent must be capable of performing the act delegated. Capacity requirements vary according to the nature of the act and the legal rules that govern it.
3. The Act Must Be Defined and Capable of Agency
The act must be known and one that the law permits to be carried out through an agent. In practice, the act should be described precisely enough to make the scope of the authority clear.
4. Legal Form and Notarisation Requirements
Article 867 requires the legal form needed for the act that is the subject of the agency, unless agreed otherwise. Some transactions require the power of attorney to be notarised officially or to be supported by additional documents, depending on the receiving authority.
What Is the Legal Age to Issue a Special Power of Attorney?
No single age applies to every special power of attorney irrespective of the act and the rules on legal capacity. The test in Article 868 is that the principal is entitled to carry out the act personally and that the agent is capable of performing it.
Where a minor, or a person under guardianship, custody or a restriction on capacity, is involved, check the rules governing the specific act and the status of the person who legally represents them before the document is issued.
Need a special power of attorney but unsure which powers to grant or what the receiving authority will accept? One Point can help you review the intended act, define the necessary powers and documents, and understand the appropriate notarisation process.
Review Your Special POA Requirements
Or continue reading to understand the conditions and authorised powers.
How to Draft a Special Power of Attorney in the UAE
A special power of attorney is drafted according to the legal act involved and the powers the principal wants to give the agent. No single wording suits every transaction. The text should state the parties’ details, the act delegated, the limits of the agent’s powers, and any information the receiving authority needs in order to accept the document.
What Details Should a Special Power of Attorney Contain?
- The principal’s name and proof of identity.
- The agent’s name and required details.
- The type of legal act covered by the authorisation.
- The powers granted to the agent, stated clearly.
- Details of the asset or transaction concerned, where relevant.
- The duration of the authorisation, if it is time-limited.
- Any provisions on delegation to others or restrictions on the authority.
- Signature and notarisation according to the competent authority’s requirements.
Do not rely on a ready-made template without reviewing it, particularly where the act involves the sale of property or a vehicle, the management of accounts or financial obligations.
Can You Use a Ready-Made Special Power of Attorney Template?
Templates published by official bodies can help when preparing the document, but they must suit the purpose. A generic or imprecise wording may lead the receiving authority to refuse the document, or give the agent wider powers than the principal intended. Prepare the text according to the transaction and the powers required, and check the competent authority’s requirements before submitting it for notarisation.
When Does a Special Power of Attorney End and How Can You Cancel It?
Article 897 of the Civil Transactions Law lists the cases in which an agency ends, including completion of the act for which it was granted and expiry of any fixed term. Article 898 governs the principal’s right to dismiss the agent or restrict the powers, with regard to rights that may be attached to the agency.
When a Special Power of Attorney Ends
Under Article 897, the agency ends in cases that include:
- Completion of the act: when the act for which the authorisation was given has been carried out.
- Expiry of the term: if the agency is limited in time and the period has passed.
- Death or loss of capacity of the principal: subject to the statutory exception for an agency to sell a pledged asset when the debt falls due.
- Death or loss of capacity of the agent: subject to the obligations the law places on the heir or guardian in the cases it specifies.
The end of an agency does not allow acts already performed, or rights tied to the agency, to be ignored. The effect of termination on the transaction concerned still needs to be assessed.
Can the Principal Cancel a Special Power of Attorney?
In principle the principal may dismiss the agent or restrict the powers under Article 898. However, where a third party’s right is attached to the agency, or it was issued in the interest of the agent, the principal cannot end or restrict it without the consent of the person in whose interest it was issued. Check the nature of the document and any related rights before applying for cancellation. Our guide to power of attorney cancellation in the UAE covers the process in detail.
How to Cancel a Special Power of Attorney
Where the agency can lawfully be cancelled, the procedure is completed with the competent notarial authority, and the agent and other parties concerned should be notified. The Ministry of Justice offers a “Cancellation of contracts and deeds” service within its jurisdiction, covering notarised agencies and the issue of a document recording the cancellation.
The published steps are to sign in with UAE PASS, submit the request electronically, take part in a virtual session with the notary to verify the parties and sign, and pay the fees. They also include paying a fee to notify the person concerned that the document has been cancelled.
The Ministry lists a fee of AED 200 for the cancellation service and a service duration of one working day. This is the Ministry of Justice fee only and is not a uniform fee for every local notarial authority.
A written draft cancelling a power of attorney is not enough where the transaction requires a formal cancellation with the competent notarial authority. Distinguish between preparing the cancellation document and completing the cancellation and its legal effects.
Source: UAE Ministry of Justice, Cancellation of contracts and deeds (checked 11 November 2026).
How to Notarise a Special Power of Attorney in the UAE
A special power of attorney can be notarised by the notary public or the competent authority under the procedures of the emirate and the type of transaction. The Ministry of Justice offers an electronic service for writing and authenticating contracts and deeds, within its jurisdiction, which covers powers of attorney.
In Dubai, notarisation is also handled through the notary services of Dubai Courts, so the procedure, timing and fees there may differ from the Ministry’s. Confirm them with Dubai Courts before you proceed.
Where the act falls within the Ministry’s jurisdiction, applicants can use that service, whose published procedure is:
- Sign in with UAE PASS or create an account.
- Submit the application electronically and choose the document type.
- Join the virtual session with the notary to verify the parties and sign.
- Pay the fee through the electronic payment gateway.
- Receive the document electronically.
The Ministry’s page lists the identity (Emirates ID or passport) of the parties as a requirement and, if one of the parties is acting as an agent, the agency that authorises that person to represent the principal, along with other documents according to the type of deed.
It should not be assumed that every type of power of attorney can be notarised remotely. The requirements vary by transaction, the capacity of the parties and the competent authority.
For the application steps, the documents and the signing process, see our guide to an online power of attorney in the UAE.
Official Fees and Timelines at a Glance
| Service | Ministry of Justice fee | Listed duration |
|---|---|---|
| Writing and authentication of contracts and deeds | AED 100 | One working day |
| Cancellation of contracts and deeds | AED 200 | One working day |
These are the federal Ministry of Justice figures as listed on its service pages on November 2026. Fees charged by local notarial authorities and private notaries follow the schedules each of them applies, so confirm the current fee with the authority you will use.
Source: UAE Ministry of Justice, Writing and authentication of contracts and deeds.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Special Power of Attorney
What is a special power of attorney in the UAE?
A special power of attorney in the UAE authorises an agent to carry out a specific legal act, or a defined type of acts, for the principal. The agent's authority is limited to the powers stated in the document and what is necessarily incidental to them. Acts such as sale, mortgage and settlement require special authority.
How does a general power of attorney differ from a special one?
A general power of attorney worded in broad terms authorises only acts of management. A special power of attorney names the act or acts the agent may perform and is required for acts beyond management and preservation, such as sale or mortgage, under Articles 870 and 871 of the Civil Transactions Law.
Can I issue a special power of attorney online in the UAE?
Often, yes. The Ministry of Justice offers an online service for writing and authenticating deeds using UAE PASS, a virtual session with the notary, electronic payment and digital signature. Whether a particular power of attorney can be completed remotely depends on the transaction, the parties and the receiving authority, and procedures are not identical in every emirate.
Can a property be sold under a special power of attorney?
Generally yes, if the document expressly authorises the sale and meets the property authority's requirements. The power of attorney does not transfer ownership by itself. Transfer and registration remain subject to the procedures of the competent property authority, so the wording and the authority's conditions should be checked first.
Can an agent act outside the powers granted?
As a rule, no. Article 874 of the Civil Transactions Law permits departure only in limited cases: where it is more beneficial to the principal, or where prior notice was impossible and the principal's consent can reasonably be presumed. The agent must then promptly tell the principal about the departure.
Can a special power of attorney be cancelled?
The principal may generally dismiss the agent or restrict the powers under Article 898, but not where a third party's right is attached to the agency or it was issued in the agent's interest, unless that person consents. Cancellation is completed with the notarial authority, and the Ministry of Justice lists a fee of AED 200.
Conclusion: Key Points on the Special Power of Attorney Dubai Rules
A special power of attorney Dubai principals sign defines what the agent may do on their behalf, sets the limits of the authority, and separates acts of management from acts that need a specific authorisation.
Preparation starts with defining the purpose, reviewing the parties’ details and wording the authorisation, then completing the notarisation requirements with the competent authority. Pay attention to the rules on termination and cancellation, particularly where a third party holds a right connected to the agency.
One Point Legal Services can help review the wording of the power of attorney, clarify the documents and the notarisation requirements within the scope of its services. Official approval remains the responsibility of the authorities competent by law.
Official and Legal Sources
- UAE Legislation Portal: Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 Promulgating the Civil Transactions Law, Articles 866 to 874 and 897 to 898 (in force 1 June 2026).
- UAE Ministry of Justice: Writing and authentication of contracts and deeds.
- UAE Ministry of Justice: Cancellation of contracts and deeds.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create a lawyer-client relationship. The appropriate legal steps depend on the specific facts and applicable UAE laws.
