Contracts and obligations · Legal glossary
Special power of attorneyIn Arabic: الوكالة الخاصة
Definition
A special power of attorney is الوكالة الخاصة in Arabic: an agency that names the type of act the agent may do.
How it varies across the GCC
In Saudi Arabia a special agency is valid for a defined type of act, and any act beyond administration needs a special agency (Civil Transactions Law, articles 483 and 484). In Oman, articles 675 and 676 are the verified provisions that separate general and special agency. In the UAE the verified provision is article 869 of Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025. The other states are under review.
The rules that apply to a specific matter depend on the state, any free zone involved and the current text of the law, so check the official source before relying on them.
Basis by country
| Country | Basis |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, article 869, in force on 1 June 2026: an agency may be general, special, conditional or deferred. |
| Saudi Arabia | Civil Transactions Law, article 483: a special agency is valid for a defined type of act. Article 484: an act beyond administration needs a special agency. |
| Bahrain | Under review |
| Qatar | Under review |
| Kuwait | Under review |
| Oman | Civil Transactions Law, articles 675 and 676, verified as the general and special agency provisions. Article 675: a general agency covers every matter that can be delegated. The operative rule of article 676 is not restated beyond that citation. |
Sources
Official texts for the points on this page. General information, not legal advice. An article number is cited only where it was verified.
- Saudi Civil Transactions Law, art. 483, 484https://laws.boe.gov.sa/BoeLaws/Laws/LawDetails/655fdb42-8c96-422b-b8c4-b04f0095c94c/1
- Oman Civil Transactions Law, Royal Decree 29/2013 (text on qanoon.om), art. 675, 676https://qanoon.om/p/2013/rd2013029/
- UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 (in force 1 June 2026), art. 869https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/4011