In our life there is sometimes a need to legally appoint another person or attorney to act on our behalf and in our name in private affairs, business or some legal matter. A Power of Attorney is the only way that you can legally appoint another person or lawyer for this purpose. To authorise another person to perform any task or deed, the person providing the Power of Attorney must have the necessary legal capacity, therefore, must be of legal age, be physically and mentally sound and fit, and not be incapacitated in any way. It is highly advisable to seek legal counsel if you intend to provide a Power of Attorney. A Power of Attorney in Cyprus, should be signed in the presence of a Certifying Officer. You should be known by the Certifying Officer and provide legal identification documents, so that the identity of the person signing the Power of Attorney cannot be disputed. If abroad, then you can visit the Cyprus Embassy or Consulate, or alternatively a Power of Attorney needs to be signed and certified in the presence of a Notary Public Solicitor, which includes having the Power of Attorney apostilled, for legal use in Cyprus.
A Cypriot Power of Attorney, according to a person's requirements can be prepared for a specific purpose or be drafted as a broad Power of Attorney. The specific Power of Attorney, is normally limited to a particular task for a certain purpose and a time limit can be added to the completion of this task. A broad Power of Attorney, can be used in opening Companies or purchasing Real Estate in Cyprus. With the grant of a Power of Attorney, for example to a lawyer, the Power of Attorney will allow the lawyer to act on your (as their client) behalf, thereby assisting in the management of your affairs, which saves significant time in completing any legal tasks, especially if you are out of the country.
The grant of a Power of Attorney should be considered seriously and the person granting the Power of Attorney must fully trust the person to whom they are granting the Power of Attorney. It is for this reason, that it is always best to go through a reputable and respected law firm.
Originally published 11 May 2020
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
