Cancellation of a Power of Attorney in the UAE

A Power of Attorney is a contract under which a principal authorises another person, the agent, to act on the principal’s behalf in a defined matter or class of matters. Cancellation is the process by which that authority is brought to an end. Under UAE law, the right to cancel rests with the principal, and the procedure for doing so is set out in the Civil Code and the notarisation framework that gives the original instrument its legal effect.

A Power of Attorney can come to an end by three routes. The first is revocation by the principal, which is the active cancellation of the document. The second is automatic termination by operation of law, which occurs on the death or legal incapacity of either the principal or the agent. The third is expiry by the term stated in the document, where the original instrument was drafted with a fixed validity period. The procedure described across this site addresses all three, with the principal focus on revocation, since that is the route the principal initiates.

The Legal Basis

The cancellation of a Power of Attorney is governed by Articles 924 to 961 of UAE Federal Law No. 5 of 1985, the Civil Transactions Law, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2020. Article 955 sets out the principal’s right to revoke and the doctrine of notice that conditions its effectiveness:

“The principal may dismiss the agent at any time unless the dismissal affects rights vested in the agent or third parties. Such dismissal must be notified to the agent; otherwise, it shall not be effective against him or third parties acting in good faith.”

Article 954 provides for automatic termination on the death or legal incapacity of either party. The notarisation procedure that records the cancellation is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 on the Profession of Notary Public, with implementing rules in Cabinet Resolution No. 16 of 2024 and, in Dubai, Resolution No. 137 of 2022 on digital notarisation. The General Power of Attorney distinction is set out separately at generalpoa.ae.

When Cancellation Matters

Cancellation is most often considered where the relationship between principal and agent has run its course or ceased to be appropriate. Common situations include the appointment of a replacement agent, the completion of the matter for which the authority was granted, a breakdown of trust or change of circumstance between the parties, and the sale or disposal of the underlying asset.

A separate set of situations concerns documents in long-term circulation. A Power of Attorney issued years earlier and never formally revoked may continue to appear valid on its face. Where the principal no longer wishes the document to be used, formal cancellation is the mechanism for ensuring it cannot be relied upon by the agent or by third parties.

The Procedure in Outline

Cancellation begins with a revocation deed identifying the original Power of Attorney by number, date, and issuing notary, together with the principal’s and agent’s full details and a clear statement of revocation. The deed is notarised, ordinarily before the same notary that issued the original or through the same channel. Once notarised, the cancellation is recorded in the Notary register against the original document. The agent is then formally notified, third parties relying on the authority are notified where applicable, and where the original Power of Attorney is property-related and registered with the Dubai Land Department, the cancellation is filed with the DLD.

Check full procedure here

Notification

Cancellation on paper is not the same as cancellation in effect. Article 955 conditions the effectiveness of revocation on notice to the agent, and where the agent’s authority has been used or relied on, on notice to the relevant third parties. Without notice, the revocation is not effective against parties acting in good faith.

Check notification doctrine here

Cancellation by Document Type

The procedure for cancellation varies in detail according to the type of Power of Attorney. A General Power of Attorney, a Special Power of Attorney, a property Power of Attorney registered with the DLD, a court case Power of Attorney, a corporate Power of Attorney, and a vehicle Power of Attorney each have additional registration steps or conditions.

View POA cancellation by type

Cancellation from Abroad

A non-resident principal can cancel a UAE-effective Power of Attorney from outside the country. The revocation is executed before a notary in the country of residence, attested by that country’s foreign affairs ministry, legalised by the UAE Embassy, and authenticated in the UAE by MOFAIC.

What Cancellation Does Not Do

Cancellation operates prospectively. It does not undo acts validly performed by the agent before revocation, does not automatically notify all parties, does not recall copies of the original document from circulation, and does not reverse transactions completed under the authority.

About POA cancellation limits

Execution

Drafting, notarisation, and notification of a Power of Attorney cancellation are handled operationally at poas.ae.