How to Cancel Power of Attorney in Dubai?

In Dubai’s fast-paced business and legal environment, a POA proves invaluable, especially when you need someone to handle your property, bank accounts, or legal matters on your behalf. It saves time and makes managing affairs from afar much easier.

But what happens when you no longer want someone to act for you? Maybe your situation has changed, trust has been lost, or the task for which you gave the POA is complete. In such cases, revoking your Power of Attorney becomes essential. 

Knowing the right steps helps you protect your rights and ensures the authority granted is properly canceled without any legal complications. 

Who This Applies To

This process applies to:

• Individuals who have granted a POA for personal matters, such as property sales, banking, or legal representation.
• Business owners who authorized an agent to handle company transactions or represent them before authorities.
• Foreign residents or investors who may have issued a POA while living outside Dubai to manage local affairs.

If you fall into any of these categories, knowing how to revoke a POA is crucial to safeguarding your rights and assets.

You may need to cancel or revoke a POA for many reasons. Your circumstances or relationship with your agent may change over time.

• Expired Purpose/Purpose Completed: You may have given someone a POA to sell a property. Once the sale is complete, the purpose of the POA is over. You must revoke the document to remove the agent’s authority and prevent future misuse.
• Loss of trust in the agent: The agent you appointed may no longer be trustworthy. You may have a personal disagreement or find out they are acting in a way that is not in your best interest.
• Change in legal or personal circumstances: You may have a new family member who can handle your affairs, or you may decide to take over the tasks yourself.
• Risk of Agent Misusing Authority: An agent with a valid POA can continue to act on your behalf. They could enter into new contracts, sell your assets, or take out loans in your name. This misuse of authority can cause significant financial loss and legal trouble for you.

Different situations require different types of POAs. You should choose the right type based on the specific powers you want to grant.

• General POA: This broad document gives the agent the power to handle almost all your personal and financial affairs. This includes managing bank accounts, selling property, and handling legal cases. It grants extensive authority. It grants extensive authority over both personal and business matters. For those looking to manage business transactions, a Business Power of Attorney in the UAE may be more suitable.
• Special/Specific POA: This type of POA limits the agent’s powers to one or a few specific tasks. For example, it could authorize the agent to sell a specific car or sign a particular contract. This is a safer option because you limit the agent’s authority. If you wonder can a special Power of Attorney can be revoked, the answer is yes, and the process is the same as with a general POA.
• Durable POA: This POA remains in effect even if the principal becomes mentally incapacitated. This is common for estate planning and healthcare decisions.
• Limited POA: This is similar to a Special POA but is often limited by a specific time frame or condition. For instance, you could grant a POA for three months to handle a single real estate transaction.

Failing to revoke a POA can lead to serious legal and financial problems. The risks are substantial if the agent still holds a valid document.

• Liability on Financial or Property Transactions: Until a POA is officially revoked, you are legally responsible for the agent’s actions within the scope of the POA. If they make a bad financial decision or a questionable property deal, you are legally liable for the consequences mentioned below.
• Legal Disputes and Court Cases: If an agent misuses their authority, you might have to file a lawsuit to recover your assets. This can be a long, expensive, and stressful process. Properly revoking the POA can prevent this.
• Potential for Forged Documents: An agent could also create fake documents or agreements using their authority. Without a clear revocation, it can be difficult to prove their actions were unauthorized.
• Difficulty with Future Transactions: Third parties, like banks and government departments, may refuse to work with you on future transactions if they believe a valid POA still exists. This can complicate your financial and legal affairs.

Dubai has a clear legal process for POA revocation devised by the authorities. Understanding their laws and the roles is crucial for a smooth process.

• Relevant Laws and Provisions

The main law governing POA revocation is the UAE Civil Transactions Law. The Notary Public regulations also provide specific rules for attesting and revoking POAs. These laws state that a principal can revoke a POA at any time, even if they had agreed it would be non-revocable. This right is fundamental to protecting the principal’s interests.

• Role of Courts and Notary Public in Revocation

The Dubai Courts and the Notary Public are the primary bodies for revoking a POA. The Notary Public attests the new Deed of Revocation, making it a legally valid document. This process is similar to obtaining a POA in the first place. You must follow their procedures to ensure the revocation is legally sound.

• Timeframe & Enforcement of Revocation

Once you officially revoke a POA, the agent’s authority ends immediately. However, you must inform all relevant parties. The revocation becomes effective for third parties (banks, government offices) only when you officially notify them. So, while the agent’s authority is gone, you must still take the necessary steps to inform everyone to prevent any actions.

Revoking a Power of Attorney in Dubai is not just about ending authority; it’s about securing your rights through the correct legal process. At the outset, it is essential to distinguish between situations where registration of the revocation is required and where it is not:

• Property-related POAs: If the POA was registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or through the Dari system, you must also cancel it there. This step removes the agent’s authority from official property records.
• General POAs: For other POAs, you only need to notarize a revocation and notify all concerned parties. Registration with DLD is not required.

Step 1: Drafting a Revocation Notice

You must start by drafting a formal Revocation Notice, aka the Deed of Revocation. This document should clearly state your intention to revoke the POA and must include:

• The POA’s date of issue
• The names of the principal and the agent
• The POA’s unique reference number

The notice must be in Arabic, or a bilingual Arabic-English version is also acceptable.    

Step 2: Attesting Revocation at Dubai Courts

Once you draft the Revocation Notice, you must get it attested by a Notary Public. This is a mandatory step. You must personally appear before the Notary Public with your identification documents. The Notary Public will verify your identity and confirm your intention to cancel the POA. They will then stamp and sign the document, making it legally valid.

If the original POA was notarized outside the UAE, you may also need attestation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and possibly the UAE embassy, depending on where the POA was issued.

In addition, Dubai Courts offer some revocation services online through the Smart Dubai app or the Dubai Courts portal, making the process more convenient.

Step 3: Notifying the Authorized Agent of Revocation

You must immediately notify the agent by sending a formal letter or email with a copy of the attested notice. This shows that you have made a genuine effort to inform the agent, which is important for legal reasons.

Step 4: Informing Relevant Authorities, Banks, or Third Parties

Informing relevant authorities, banks, and other parties is a crucial step. You must notify all institutions that may have a copy of the original POA, such as banks, real estate departments, government offices, or any companies the agent worked with on your behalf. 

To ensure proof of delivery, send the notice via registered mail, courier with a signature, or deliver it by hand (or use a bailiff service). Some authorities, like the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or Dari system, may also accept electronic notifications.

Step 5: Updating Registries & Property Departments (if applicable)

If the POA is related to real estate, you must visit the Dubai Land Department. If it involves a business, you must inform the Department of Economic Development (DED). These departments will update their records and flag the POA as revoked. This prevents the agent from making any further transactions on your property or business.

Having the right documents is essential for a smooth cancellation process. If you’re preparing to cancel a POA, you may also want to review the Documents Required for Power of Attorney in Dubai to ensure you have everything in order.

For Individuals

• Original POA document: You must have the original Power of Attorney that you want to cancel.
• Passport and Emirates ID copies: You need to present your valid passport and Emirates ID for identification.
• Revocation deed/notice: This is the new document you have drafted to revoke the POA.

For Companies

• Trade license copy: The company’s valid copy of the registered trade license is required.
• Board resolution/POA revocation decision: If a board of directors made the decision, you must provide a certified copy of the resolution.
• Company incorporation documents: Documents like the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) may be required.

Hiring a lawyer or legal consultant is not mandatory but highly recommended. They can save you time and prevent costly mistakes. However, in Dubai and throughout the UAE, the revocation of a POA must be processed through the Notary Public (Dubai Courts) or the relevant authority in the emirate. 

If you need Power of Attorney Services, a lawyer can handle the entire process from start to finish. A lawyer can draft the revocation notice, get it attested, notify the agent and other concerned parties, and represent you before the authorities. Their expertise ensures the process is transparent, legally valid, and free from mistakes.

Even small errors, such as incorrect wording, missing details, or failing to notify a relevant party, can invalidate the revocation. A lawyer helps you avoid these mistakes and ensures your POA cancellation is effective.

Common Mistakes During Revocation & How to Rectify Them

Common mistakes during the revocation of a Power of Attorney can lead to the document becoming invalid. Some of the most frequent errors include:

• Incorrect Wording: Using vague or improper language in the revocation notice can make the document unenforceable.
• Missing Information: Failing to include essential details like the POA’s reference number, date of issue, or the names of the principal and agent.
• Not Notifying Relevant Parties: Not informing all parties who have a copy of the original POA, such as banks, government offices, or businesses the agent dealt with, can cause confusion and delay the cancellation process.
• Failure to Properly Attest the Revocation: Not getting the revocation notice attested by the Notary Public as required can invalidate the document.

To avoid these issues, it is recommended to hire a lawyer or legal consultant. They will ensure that the revocation deed is drafted accurately, includes all necessary details, and is properly attested. Additionally, they will handle the formal notifications to all concerned parties, ensuring the revocation is legally sound and executed without error.

To avoid complications during the revocation process, consider the following tips for a seamless experience:

• Always Keep Written Proof of Revocation: Once you get your revocation deed attested, make copies and keep them in a safe place. This written proof is your best defense against any future disputes.
• Notify All Concerned Parties in Writing: Always send formal, written notices to banks, land departments, and other relevant parties. This proves you took the necessary steps to inform them.
• Use Bilingual (Arabic-English) POA Documents: If you draft your POA in both English and Arabic, it will be easier to revoke. All official documents in Dubai must be in Arabic, and a bilingual document can simplify the process.
• Monitor and Confirm POA Updates with Government Departments: Don’t assume the authorities have processed your request. Follow up with them to confirm that they have updated their records and flagged the POA as cancelled.

Revoking a Power of Attorney in Dubai is a serious and important legal process. It protects you from potential misuse of authority and financial loss. The process is not complex, but it requires careful attention to detail. By drafting a proper revocation notice, getting it attested, and informing all relevant parties, you can safely end the agent’s authority.

For a stress-free process, consider hiring a legal professional who can guide you every step of the way. Taking this action gives you back control over your affairs and secures your assets in Dubai.