CORPORATE LAW:

CORPORATE ADVICE

LEGAL ADVICE FOR PARTNERSHIPS

A partnership exists when you have two or more individuals carrying on a business with a view to making a profit. They are common for property investors, solicitors, accountants, and medical professionals.

At Birch Law we can help partners and partnerships on a wide range of matters including: advice on the set up of a partnership, preparation of the partnership agreement, advice on retirement, sale and purchase of a business, incorporation (whether to LLP or a limited company), and dissolution of the partnership.

If you would like to discuss any of our services with us, feel free to contact us using the form below or give us a call at 0161 669 4621 for a free no obligation chat. We look forward to assisting you with your legal concerns.

BIRCH LAW. For businesses and individuals. PROBLEM SOLVERS, EXCEPTIONAL ADVICE, CLIENT FOCUSED, UNRIVALLED VALUE FOR MONEY.

HOW CAN BIRCH LAW HELP?

If you would like any further information or need advice about any dispute, please get in touch with us today. You can contact us today on 0161 669 4621 or by email on sbirchall@birchlaw.co.uk for a free no obligation chat.

A partnership has no separate legal personality. It cannot own assets nor property. It can’t grant security or contract with third parties. Instead, it is the partners within the partnership that own assets on behalf of the partnership or engage with third parties. Each partner is an agent of the firm for the purpose of partnership business.

One of the main differences between a limited company and a partnership is that the partners are primarily liable for arrangements entered into by the partnership. Whether partners are jointly and severally liable for the actions of another partner depends on a number of factors. Usually however:

  • Partners are jointly responsible for the contractual debts of a partnership.
  • The estate of a deceased partner has several liability for the debts of the firm to the extent that they are not otherwise satisfied.
  • Wrongful acts or omissions, such as torts, of any partner acting in the ordinary course of the business with the authority of the other partners, gives rise to joint and several liability.

Partnerships are treated as transparent for most tax purposes meaning that the activities of the partnership are treated as carried on by the individual partners and not by the partnership as a body. As such, it is the individual partners who are liable to pay tax on their share of the profit or losses.

Partnership property is property brought into the partnership for the purpose of partnership business. As a partnership cannot own property, individual partners will own property on behalf of the partnership. It is important to set out clearly what property is owned by individual partners on behalf of the partnership and what property belongs to individual partners personally. This will be important on the insolvency of the partnership and/or the bankruptcy of individual partners.

Partners owe fiduciary duties to each other including a duty to act in the utmost good faith and honestly towards each other, and not to put themselves into a position where their duty to the firm and their own interests conflict. Additionally, a partner must account for all profits made by him from carrying on any business of the same nature as and competing with that of the firm, without the consent of the partners.

If you don’t have a Partnership Agreement the business will be governed by the Partnership Act 1890 (the Act). The Act is however lacking in parts and, although it is not a mandatory requirement, we advise that a partnership agreement is entered into between partners otherwise default provisions may apply. There are several areas to consider:

  • Fixed Capital. The amount of a partner’s fixed capital (i.e. the amount introduced by each partner).
  • Share of profits and losses. Unless the partnership agreement says otherwise, all partners share equally in the profits and must contribute equally towards the losses, whether capital or income. It is usual for the partnership agreement to set out how shares of profits are distributed.
  • New Partners. The partnership agreement should set out how a new partner may be admitted otherwise it will require unanimous consent. At law, an incoming partner does not acquire liability for anything done before admission, but it is usual for new partners to agree to take on existing liabilities of the firm.
  • Retirement. A partner has no right to retire from the partnership unless: the partnership agreement allows for it, it is with the unanimous consent of all partners, or for    partnerships at will – by notice. The partnership agreement should set out how a            partner may retire, what happens on the death of a partner, and how a partner can be expelled from the partnership.
  • Post termination restrictions. It is important that a partnership agreement also deals with post termination restrictions preventing an outgoing partner from competing with the business of the firm within a defined geographical area and for a set period of time.

If a Partnership Agreement is poorly drafted, disputes can arise over the true meaning and interpretation of its terms and the nature and extent of the partners’ rights and responsibilities.

At Birch Law we have considerable experience working with partners and partnerships. We can provide ad hoc or continuing advice to both. Should you have any queries regarding the rights and/or responsibilities of partners or assistance in drafting a partnership agreement please contact us on 0161 669 4621 or sbirchall@birchlaw.co.uk for a free no obligation chat.

Whichever funding route you choose, you can rest assure that our experienced solicitors will always do their utmost to keep costs as low as possible. If you would like to discuss any of our services with us, feel free to contact us using the form below or give us a call at 0161 669 4621 for a free no obligation chat.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

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BOOK A TIME TO DISCUSS YOUR MATTER

Please complete our online enquiry form or contact us at sbirchall@birchlaw.co.uk for your free 30 minute consultation. You will be able to choose a time and date that works for you.

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MEET WITH ONE OF OUR ADVISORS

Meet with one of our advisors on MS Teams, Zoom, by telephone or in person. They will find out about your legal needs and discuss how best we can help you. We will set out your options and provide transparent costs information so you can make an informed decision as to how you want to proceed.

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IMPLEMENT

Once we have agreed on the correct course of action for you, we will then implement and execute your instructions.

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