Power Of Attorney? Power Of Attorney?
Q: Dictionaries don't capitalize it, but it seems that it ought to be. Which is it? Is there a difference if I talk about _the_ (specific) power of attorney (capitalize) or powers of attorney (small letters) in general?
A: -In my experience (US English), it is not always capitalized. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule. Sometimes contracts will capitalize all terms with a specific meaning in that document (i.e. Grantor, Grantee, Lessor, Lessee), and in that case, you might want to capitalize it in order to be consistent. If you are talking about a power of attorney in general, I wouldn't capitalize it. -Which, basically, is my dilemma. I have a series of three letters by twoparties on opposing sides of the fence. The one is saying very importantly, I have been given this Power of Attorney (one can just see the capitals in his voice and tone!) so hand over the papers. The other one is saying, I see no justification for this "so-called power of attorney" (and the tone of derision in the "so-called" just makes the P & A shrink into their non-capital form in dismay) so hand over the papers. A judgement call on my part.... -Yes, I do agree. I hadn't read the whole thread before, and now I have done I see it wasn't originally about capitalisation of headings at all, as your post and the one before were, but rather of specific terms in contracts.