The Differences Between Partnership, Partnership And Limited Liability Partnership

1146 Words3 Pages

Company versus Partnership
According to s.1 Partnership Act 1890, a partnership is "the relation which subsists between partners carrying on a business in common with a view to profit". The creation of a Partnership can be done verbally. In most partnerships, however, partners prepare a written agreement referred to as Articles of Partnership, Partnership Deed or Partnership Agreement. The agreement concluded between partners determines the rights and obligations of each associate as well as how the partnership is going to work. In addition, the agreement can be altered through a mutual understanding of all partners at any time. Also in case of partnership there is no separate legal existence and partners are equally liable for any debts. It is, however, important to indicate that Partnerships in Scotland differ from the rest of UK and are legal entities so partners can sue and be sued in the firm’s name (HMRC, 2014). There are three types of Partnership: ‘Ordinary’ Business Partnership, Limited Partnership and Limited Liability Partnership. In the Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) the associates are not personally liable for debts of the firm whereas in the Limited Partnership the liability is unequally divided by its partners who only pay up to the amount they initially invested in the partnership (GOV.UK, 2014).
The main differences between the partnership and a company are that the company has to be registered under the Companies Act, 1956 whereas the registration of partnership is not obligatory. Also as mentioned above, partnership unlike company is not a separate legal entity but a group of individuals. As to a minimum and maximum number of persons involved in the partnership and company there are differences as well. In...

... middle of paper ...

... with. A majority of businesses use standard Articles of Association, however, they can be altered or tailored as long as the firm does not violate the law (GOV.UK, 2014).
The Limited Liability Partnership agreement does not have to be registered with the Companies House and there is no comparable document to the Model Articles which would outline standard articles like in case of limited company. It is, however, in best interest of each member of a LLP to create an agreement that will cover the most important issues when running a company. Some of this issues that should be included cover: equal shares, involvement in management, no remuneration, consent of members required for new members, decision-making, access to books and records, duty to account for profits from competing business, duty to account for benefits derived, unfair prejudice, etc.

More about The Differences Between Partnership, Partnership And Limited Liability Partnership

Open Document