3: Starting a Partnership Flashcards
How does a ordinary partnership deal with tax?
A nominated partner registers for tax and submits a partnership tax return on behalf of the whole partnership. The individual partners then register for self-assessment and report their shares of the partnership’s earnings in the same way as sole traders.
When will the law recognise a partnership?
When people carry on business in common with a view to making a profit.
Can a partnership be created without express agreement?
Yes, it can be created on the terms implied by PA 1890.
Can the terms implied by PA 1890 be overridden?
Yes, by agreement orally or in writing from the partners.
What is the limitation period for claims for breach of a deed?
12 years, rather than the usual 6 years for breach of contract.
What form is a partnership agreement usually in if it is expressly agreed?
A partnership deed or ‘articles’.
What is required by s26 PA 1890 in order to dissolve a partnership entered into by deed?
Written notice.
What is required by s26 PA 1980 in order to dissolve a partnership entered into by anything other than a deed?
Oral notice.
What will happen to a partnership if it is made illegal by a new Act of Parliament or as a result of war?
It will be dissolved automatically (s34).
Is it unlawful to discriminate against a potential partner?
Yes, according to s44 Equality Act, it is unlawful if it is on one of the grounds listed in s4 (sex, race, sexual orientation, etc).
Do ordinary partnerships have to prepare accounts and make them publicly available?
No, they have no legal requirement to do so, although they probably will to track how the business is doing.
What are the limitations of business names in partnerships?
They must follow the rules in ss1192-1198 Companies Act 2006, although the rules don’t apply to a name which consists only of the partners’ surnames, or surnames together with forenames and initials.
However, & Co or & Sons could prevent the exception from applying.
When would the rules in ss1200-1206 CA 2006 not apply?
When the company name consists only of the partners’ surnames or surnames together with forenames and initials.
OR
Where there are more than 20 partners, as long as the partnership’s documents give the address of its principal place of business and say that a list of partners can be found there.
What are the rules in ss1200-1206 CA 2006?
Partners must disclose the name of each partner and an address within the United Kingdom where legal docs can be sent to. This info should be on every business document and be displayed prominently in any business premises.
What is it called when a partnership has not been created for an agreed fixed term?
A partnership at will.
How can a partnership at will be dissolved?
According to s26, it can be dissolved by any partner giving notice. This can be orally unless it was created by deed, where it must be in writing.
What is the notice period for the dissolution of a partnership at will?
The notice can take immediate effect, no notice period is required.
How can a partnership for a specified duration or venture be dissolved?
According to s32, the partnership will dissolve when the duration or venture is completed.
Can a partnership for a specified duration or venture carry on after it is completed?
If they continue business after it has been completed, it will turn into a partnership at will, unless agreed otherwise.
What happens to an ordinary partnership when a partner either dies or becomes bankrupt? (s33)
According to s33, the partnership dissolves automatically on the death or bankruptcy of any partner, unless it is excluded in the partnership agreement (which is recommended).
Is s26 easy to exclude?
Yes, it will not apply if anything in the agreement is inconsistent with it. It will only apply where the partners have not agreed anything about when the partnership can be terminated.
What is the money that is put into the business at the beginning called?
Capital contributions.
Can assets also count toward capital contributions, as well as money?
Yes, if a partner has an asset that they contribute, that will counted as part of their capital contribution.
Who does something bought with the partnership’s money belong to?
According to s21, it is presumed to belong to the partnership, unless there is evidence to the contrary.
Who does anything acquired for the purposes of the partnership business belong to?
According to s20, it is partnership property and is held exclusively for the purposes of the partnership in accordance to the partnership agreement.
Who do profits on the sale of partnership property belong to?
The partnership.
Who owns partnership property?
All partners together.
When a lender is seeking security on a loan to a partnership, what will they likely use as that security?
The partners’ personal assets (not just the partnership assets), similar to as a sole trader.