Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

missdaredevil · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 1670 Location: Ask me

What do call the person who you assigned to do a job for you on your behalf?

If I have to do apply for a class, but I will be absent during the application period. I give my rights(?) to a person to complete that for me.

What is that called?
Thanks

CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

That person is your proxy. You can enroll by proxy, be tried and sentenced by proxy, even get married by proxy.

For certain things, in the U.S.A., at least, you need to give written permission to the person to act as your proxy. Then he or she is your attorney-in-fact, acting under authority of a general or limited power of attorney.

An attorney-in-fact is not the same as an attorney-at-law (lawyer), and does not need any special training. The attorney-in-fact can do anything on behalf of the principal so long as it is within the scope of the power of attorney -- buy and sell property, decide whether to give or withhold medical treatment, or whatever may be important to the person.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

kerstin · Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 241 Location: Taiwan

iitimone7 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 400 Location: Indiana, USA

a proxy could be a lawyer in that case. a power of attorney could also be a sibling, a spouse, a cousin, a son or daughter, or a close friend, for a few examples.

Americans don't use the word proxy on a regular basis. it seems to me that the word proxy is used more in legal terminology.

proxy may also be used in taking a a written test in school, but i don't know the exact explanation that would help you. i would suggest that it means that someone would read the test to you and you write down the answers.

wow! i'm impressed with your research! great job, once again! iitimone7

CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

The person who supervises an examination in school is a proctor.

The power of attorney is the power to act as someone's proxy. The document that you sign to make someone your attorney-in-fact / legal proxy is also called a power of attorney. The proxy can do only those things that the power of attorney authorizes him or her to do.

The legal proxy / attorney-in-fact does not have to be an attorney-at-law (lawyer), and in fact, most proxies are not lawyers.

I hope that clears that up.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

missdaredevil · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 1670 Location: Ask me

Can I say "she is my proxy for school minor(as in Spanish minor) application"?
Thanks

iitimone7 · Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 400 Location: Indiana, USA

she is my proctor who will proxy my exam, but that's a little redundant.

she is my proctor

she will proxy my exam

missdaredevil · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 1670 Location: Ask me

Does that mean "a person who has my permission to act on my behalf" so that she "applied for the course" for me?

Thanks

Sorry if I made it confusing.

CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

If Suzie has permission to sign up for the course in your stead / in your place / on your behalf, Suzie is your proxy, and you enroll in the course by proxy.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Iitimone, I think you might be suffering a momentary brain freeze. I don't see how "proxy" relates to a proctor of an exam or proxying an exam in any way. Maybe my own brain is frozen at the moment?