2. (a) That's right. In the present case, because A wants B to represent her for two years, a written power of attorney will be required. There is another point. In the common law, a contract executed in the form of a deed binds only the signatories to the deed, even if one of the parties apparently signs as agent for a disclosed principal. This commercially inconvenient restriction has been loosened by statute, so that an agent who is appointed by a power of attorney in the form of a deed under seal can execute a contract by deed on behalf of their principal.