JEDDAH: Nearly 45 percent of women are cheated by male representatives for conducting paperwork at government departments and other agencies, which forces the women to request cancellation of the power of attorney they've granted to the men, under claims that they used the power inappropriately, a source at the Ministry of Justice told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. In some cases, men represent more than one woman and women have demanded cancellations for 33 percent of the representatives, the source added. All powers of attorney, including general power of attorney, are issued according to specific procedures to make sure of the woman's identity and approval, the source added. Before the general power of attorney is written, the intention for issuing it is repeated and the woman's consent is clearly obtained, the source explained. After it is written and before it is signed, a notary public reads the text to her and obtains her clear approval, with several of her close relatives (Mahram) as witnesses. These relatives also confirm her identity before the notary public, the source added. The same procedure is followed with regard to general power of attorney concerning elderly people and others, he noted. In cases involving elderly people, power of attorney is not issued until it is made sure that the individual has a full understanding of its contents “because we have fears it might be used for purposes other than the ones it has been issued for,” the source noted. The Ministry of Justice ensures that all conditions are met, but if a dispute occurs between the issuer of the power of attorney and their representative, this matter concerns the individuals and depends on the representative's integrity, the source said.
