A person who is authorised by a power of attorney to act on behalf of, and in the name of, another person (typically referred to as the principal or donor). An attorney is also sometimes referred to as a donee or grantee.

In the case of an ordinary power of attorney, there are very few statutory or common law restrictions on who can be appointed as an attorney. The donor's main consideration when selecting an attorney is therefore usually their suitability for appointment, rather than their legal capacity to act.

In relation to a lasting power of attorney (LPA), the attorney must be an individual who is at least 18 years old and not bankrupt, or (if the power relates only to the donor's property and affairs) a trust corporation (section 10(1)(a), Mental Capacity Act 2005).

For more information, see Practice notes, Powers of attorney: Who can be an attorney under an ordinary power of attorney? and Lasting powers of attorney: creation: Identity of the attorney.