Mentoassociates.com – Legal Articles

Power of attorney is a very common document used in various transactions in day-to-day life. At the same time there are lots of misconceptions about the same. In this article let us get some first hand information about the various aspects of a power of attorney.

A Power of attorney is a document in writing whereby one person authorizes another person to represent him and to do certain lawful acts. The person who confers the power is called “Principal” and the person to whom it is given is known as “Agent” or “Attorney”. When the Power of attorney is given for a specific act then the same is known as “Special Power Of Attorney”. On the contrary if a Power of attorney is given to a person to do generally various acts and to represent the principal in a wide variety of transactions then the same is said to be “General Power Of Attorney”.

A Power Of Attorney may be revocable or irrevocable. If the person, who gives the power, retains the right to cancel it, then the same is said to be revocable one. On the other hand if this power is not retained, then the same is termed an irrevocable one. Normally, Power of attorneys pertaining to immovable properties, which are given after receipt of considerations are irrevocable ones.

A power of attorney has to be sufficiently stamped and the same may be notarized or registered. Normally those involving immovable properties need to be registered in the office of the jurisdictional sub registrar. Apart from the signatures of the Principal and the Attorney, it is better to have the attestation by two witnesses.

A power of attorney may be granted by one Principal to several agents or several principals to one agent provided there is uniformity in the purpose.

The Power of Attorney is terminated on the revocation of the same by the principal, when the purpose of the instrument is completed, when either of the parties become unsound or dies and when the Principal is declared unsound.

1.Company is an artificial legal person. Partnership is not a legal person.

2.Company has perpetual succession. Partnership firm does not have perpetual succession.

3.Company is created by registration under Companies Act. For a partnership firm registration is not compulsory. It is guided by Indian Contract Act and Partnership Act.

4.Private Limited Company shall have at least 2 members and maximum 50 members. Partnership firm shall have at least 2 members and maximum 20 members and for banking business, maximum 10 members.

5.In a private limited company, liability of the members can be limited by shares or by guarantee. Liability of members is unlimited in a partnership firm.
   
6.A member is not an agent of company or of other members. Partner is an agent of firm and other partners.

7.Member cannot bind company by his act.  Partner can bind firm by his act. 
                                                       
8.Ordinary members cannot take part in management of a company. Only director members can take part in management.  Partners can take part in   management of a firm.

9.Private limited company shall have a minimum paid up capital of   Rupees 1,00,000/-(Rupees One Lakh Only) and public limited  company of Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakh Only). There is no minimum paid up capital for a partnership firm.

10.Shares of a private limited company can be transferred with ease. Partner can transfer his share but the assignee does not become a partner. He is only entitled to share of Profits.

11.A company is an entity distinct from its members. It may own property, make contracts, sue and be sued in its own name.  The property of a firm is   owned by the partners. It can also sue and be sued in the firm’s name and   partners can also be sued individually.

12.A single member cannot wind up a company.  A partnership may be dissolved by any partner at any time.