A technique for managing power domains in an integrated circuit

An integrated circuit comprising: a first circuitry within a first power domain, and a distributed power controller, for controlling transition of the first power domain between power states, comprising at least power control circuitry in a second power domain and additional power control circuitry in a third power domain; wherein, whilst the current power state of the first power domain is one of a plurality of power states, the second power domain placed in a power saving state where the power control circuitry loses knowledge of the state of the first power domain and the third power domain is prevented from entering that power saving state; and the additional power control circuitry outputs a mode status signal that is then used by the power control circuitry, when the second power domain exits the power saving state, to place the power control circuitry into an initial mode of operation that is dependent on the current power state of the first power domain.