Corporate Power of Attorney

Author: Ian Aldridge, Progressive Legal

As a business owner, ensuring seamless decision-making and operational efficiency is paramount. A Corporate Power of Attorney (CPOA) is a powerful legal instrument that allows a company to delegate authority to a trusted individual or entity, enabling them to act on its behalf in legal and financial matters.

In this article, we explain what a Corporate Power of Attorney is, its key benefits, the process of appointing an attorney, and the rights and obligations involved. Understanding this essential legal tool can help safeguard your business interests and streamline corporate governance. 

What is a Corporate Power of Attorney?

A corporate power of attorney is a legal document that allows a company to delegate decision-making power to another party. Businesses use a corporate POA to authorize individuals or entities to handle financial, legal, or administrative matters if they are unable to do so. Section 124 of the Corporations Act authorises companies to appoint attorneys, whether individuals or other bodies corporate, both in and outside of Australia.

Understanding how a corporate power of attorney in Australia works is essential for ensuring compliance and risk management, especially in NSW and other jurisdictions. We recommend obtaining legal advice when appointing a CPOA.

Why should my company appoint a Corporate Power of Attorney?

Who should I appoint as a Corporate Power of Attorney?

Any person over the age of 18 can be appointed as a CPOA. You may choose to appoint a close family member or a friend/college that you trust. Other options are to appoint the NSW Trustee, a trustee company or a professional advisor such as a lawyer or accountant, who will charge a fee in return for acting as your CPOA.

If you appoint more than one attorney, you need to consider whether you want your attorneys to act jointly (where they must all sign/agree together on your behalf) or jointly and severally (where they are able to act independently on your behalf). You should also consider what will happen if one of your attorneys dies.

Will I lose any of my rights if I appoint a Corporate Power of Attorney?

You won’t lose any of your rights if you decide to appoint a Corporate Power of Attorney and you will still have authority to act for your business, as long as you are available and capable. Your document should specify that you only want your attorney’s power to begin if and when you become unavailable/incapable of acting for your business.

What power can be granted to a Corporate Power of Attorney?

Some examples of power that can be appointed to a CPOA include the following:

1. Power for a spe­cif­ic pur­pos­e

An attorney may be granted power for a specific purpose, such as if a company needs to urgently sign off on a document but a director is ill or overseas.

2. Lim­it­ed pow­er for rou­tine trans­ac­tions

Limited power may be granted to an attorney, such as to remove the has­sle of needing two direc­tors to sign off on routine and frequent operations.

3. Contingencies

General power may be granted to an attorney in case a direc­tor is unavailable to act for the business.

What things are Corporate Power of Attorneys not permitted to do?

Attorneys who are appointed are not allowed to:

1. swear an affidavit in their appointor’s name;
2. perform any non-delegable duties;
3. exercise any trusts, powers or discretions bestowed on the appointor;
4. assign their powers or duties to another person;
5. create a Will for the appointor.

What happens if an attorney dies or becomes mentally incapacitated?

Usually, CPOA will be revoked if an attorney dies or becomes mentally incapacitated in this circumstance. The document will then be read to appoint a new attorney to take over the role. Without this being specified in a document, the role will be vacated and there will be no acting CPOA.

What are your attorney’s obligations?

Your attorney must:

1. avoid conflicts of interest between the attorney and appointer;
2. act honestly and in the appointer’s best interest;
3. retain proper accounts and records;
4. keep their finances/assets separate to the appointer’s finances/assets;
5. not pay themselves or others with your finances, unless directed to do so – this is separate from claiming out-of-pocket expenses related to carrying out their duties.

What if I change my mind?

A CPOA can be terminated at any time providing you have the mental capacity to do so. We recommend informing your attorney in writing so that your intention is clear to everyone. If you fail to inform your attorney, they may continue to deal with your finances and/or finances and you will still be liable for any actions made by them.

Key takeaways

Understanding and strategically leveraging the Corporate Power of Attorney is crucial for ensuring business continuity and safeguarding against unforeseen disruptions. At Progressive Legal, we recognise the significance of this legal tool in empowering businesses and offer expert advice on its application.

Whether you are navigating the complexities of appointing a CPOA or seeking insights into its powers and limitations, our experienced corporate lawyers stand ready to provide tailored corporate advice. Contact us below to explore how we can assist you with Corporate Power of Attorney or anything corporate law related.

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