vekâlet

Vekâlet is a legal arrangement in Turkish law whereby a principal delegates authority to an agent to perform acts or manage affairs on the principal’s behalf. The delegation is formalized through a vekâletname (power of attorney or letter of authorization). The scope of authority may be general or limited, and the entrusted person is called a vekil.

Etymology: the term comes from the Arabic wakāla, meaning “to appoint a representative.” In Turkish usage, vekâlet encompasses temporary or ongoing representation and can apply to civil, commercial, and administrative matters, depending on the terms of the vekâletname.

Types and scope: vekâletnames can be general (genel vekâletname), granting broad authority, or special/limited (özel vekâletname), restricting the agent to specific acts. The form may be revocable or durable, and certain acts, such as real estate transactions, often require notarization or authentication to be valid.

Applications: common uses include banking transactions, signing documents, or representing a person before authorities, courts, or notaries. In corporate contexts, executives or designated officers may act as vekil within powers granted by bylaws or a power of attorney. The agent must act within the scope of authority and in the principal’s best interests.

Legal framework and liability: Turkish civil and commercial law regulate vekâlet, outlining the duties, revocation rules, and liability framework. If the agent exceeds authority or misuses powers, the principal is typically not bound by those unauthorized acts, while the vekil may bear civil liability to the principal.