vakillik

Vakillik is a legal concept referring to the authority of one person to act on behalf of another in legal or commercial matters. It is commonly described as agency, mandate, proxy, or power of attorney in various legal traditions, and is used in several Turkic and Persian-influenced legal systems. The term denotes both the status of the representative (the vakil) and the set of powers granted to act for the principal (the client or employer).

Scope and formation

Vakillik covers a broad range of activities, from court representation and contract signing to administrative and notarial acts. It can arise through a written mandate or power of attorney, an explicit agreement, or, in some jurisdictions, by statute or routine professional practice. The authority may be general, allowing broad actions on the principal’s behalf, or limited to specific acts or time periods.

Duties and liabilities

A vakil must act within the boundaries of the granted authority, follow the principal’s instructions, and act in good faith. The principal remains liable for the vakil’s actions taken within the scope of the authority. The vakil may bear liability for unauthorized acts, conflicts of interest, or breaches of fiduciary duties.

Termination and limits

Vakillik ends by revocation of the mandate, expiration of a term, completion of the specified act, or death or incapacity of either party. Termination may require formal notice or notification to third parties who rely on the vakillik. Typical applications include legal representation, business transactions, guardianship, and other delegated acts. In Turkish and related systems, vakillik is closely associated with vekâlet (power of attorney) and may be implemented through a vekâletname.