Chapter 11 Flashcards
What does the choice of business organisation depend on?
The needs of a particular business.
A sole proprietorship is carried out by ____.
One person.
Under the ____ Act, how does one carry out a business as a sole proprietor?
Business Names Registration. The business must be registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority Singapore (ACRA).
What other formalities are required in some instances?
A license to conduct certain types of businesses.
Who are exempted from registration of sole proprietorship? (2)
(1) certain types of business- taxi drivers and hawkers
(2) individuals carrying on business under only their full names
Who controls and manages the sole proprietorship?
The sole proprietor.
How should the sole proprietor manage his sole proprietorship? Give an example of what he can do.
He is free to operate his business in any way such as by hiring a manager.
What happens to the profits in a sole proprietorship? Why?
The sole proprietor receives all of it because the entire business is wholly owned and operated by him.
What happens to the liabilities in a sole proprietorship? What kind of liability is this?
The sole proprietor is solely liable for any liabilities that the business incurs. Unlimited liability.
When is a sole proprietorship dissolved? (3) This is also known as _____.
(1) sole proprietor becomes bankrupt
(2) sole proprietor dies
(3) sole proprietor gives notice to ACRA of his intention to dissolve the sole proprietorship
Dissolution of the sole proprietorship.
Is there succession of sole proprietorship once dissolved?
No.
What are the laws regarding partnerships in Singapore? (2)
(1) laws found in the Partnership Act
(2) common law
What must every partnership do under the law?
Register with ACRA before commencing business.
What is a registered partnership known as?
Firm.
What happens when a business is conducted without registering first?
A criminal offence is committed.
What can the law do even if a partnership has not been registered with ACRA? What is needed?
It may treat 2 or more persons as being in a partnership agreement in the event of a dispute if there is evidence to support it.
What is the result of treating 2 or more persons as being in a partnership agreement in the event of a dispute?
One person may be made responsible for certain debts incurred by the other(s)
What does a firm require?
At least 2 and a maximum of 20 persons.
What is the exception to the maximum partners allowed in a firm? Give examples.
If the firm is a professional body of persons, the number of partners may exceed 20. Architects, lawyers. doctors or accountants.
How does the Partnership Act define a partnership?
The relation which subsists (exists) between persons carrying on a business in common with a view of profit.
In other words, what is the definition of a partnership?
A contract among the several persons engaged in a business with a view of profit.
How does the Partnership Act define a business?
Every trade, occupation or profession, the aim of which is to make money.
What are type of firms? (2) What do they do?
(1) trading firm- buy and sell goods
(2) non-trading firm- provide services
Does 2 or more people running a business together = partnership? What does it depend on?
No, it does not necessarily mean that. It depends on whether the business arrangement between the parties fall within the guidelines set out in the Act.
What do the guidelines in the Partnership Act set out?
The guidelines require more substantive evidence to show that a partnership exists
Where parties share gross returns, is there a partnership according to the guidelines?
No, there must be further evidence to show that all parties were carrying on a business in common with a view of profit.
Where parties share profits and a presumption that a partnership exists, can it still be overturned?
Yes, if there was other evidence proving the contrary.
What do partners often have?
A partnership agreement.
What is a partnership agreement for? (2)
(1) to expressly spell out certain terms
(2) to modify the implied terms that would apply under the Partnership Act or the common law
What format should the partnership agreement be in?
It need not be in writing.
Who can be a partner in a partnership?
Anyone with capacity to enter into a binding contract.
Can a company be a partner?
Yes.
What happens when an express partnership agreement is absent?
Certain terms will be implied by law to govern the relationship between the partners.
How are partners expected to act within the partnership?
In utmost good faith.
What does utmost good faith mean? (3)
(1) must NOT act with malice or collateral motive
(2) should NOT make profits or gains without the other partners’ consent
(3) should NOT participate in a similar business in competition with the partnership
What happens to the profits in the partnership? Any exceptions?
All partners share the profits equally regardless of their contribution, unless stated otherwise in the partnership agreement.
What happens to the liabilities in the partnership?
Each partner is liable to contribute equally towards the losses of the firm.
What is indemnity (compensation) like in a partnership?
The firm is required to indemnify every partner.
When are partners indemnified (compensated)? (2)
(1) for any liability incurred by the partner
(2) anything the partner did to preserve the firm’s property or business
What is partnership property? (2)
(1) all property originally brought into the firm’s stock
(2) all property acquired/bought for the purposes of the firm
How should partnership property be applied (used)? (who, what)
By the partners exclusively for the purposes of the firm.
How can a new partner be admitted to the firm? Any exceptions?
With the unanimous consent of all partners, unless otherwise stated in the partnership agreement.
Once admitted, a new partner is NOT liable for ___.
Firm’s prior debts.
How does a partner retire?
By giving notice to the other partners.
What is the retiring partner liable for? Any exceptions?
He remains liable for the firm’s prior debts, unless the other partners agree to release the retiring partner from those past debts.
Who manages the firm in a partnership?
Every partner may do so.
What does the law assume of each partner in terms of management? What is it usually like in practice?
They will contribute equally to the business. In practice, it is common to have sleeping partners.
What are sleeping partners?
Partners who have provided capital but take no active part in its management.
Who makes decisions in a partnership?
All partners
Is it practical that all partners make decisions in a partnership? Why?
No, it is difficult for all partners to be involved in all of the partnership’s decisions.
Since it is impractical, how are decisions made in a partnership? What are they called?
Firms delegate certain decisions to one of the partners. Managing or Administrative partner.
What is the exception to relying on the Managing/Administrative partner?
There are certain decisions where the unanimous agreement of all partners is necessary.
What are the decisions where the unanimous agreement of all partners is necessary? (3)
(1) altering the partnership agreement
(2) changing the partnership business
(3) introducing a new partner or substituting a partner for one who wishes to retire
What is agency like in a partnership?
A partner is an agent of the firm and his co-partners of the firm.
What is the partner’s authority like as an agent?
If one partner enters into a contract in the ordinary course of business and incurs debts or liabilities, that partner is deemed to have acted on behalf of the firm and all his co-partners and will also be equally responsible for the contract, debt or liability.
What is the power of the partner to bind the firm and his co-partners dependent on? (2)
(1) whether he has acted in his capacity as a partner and dealt with a third party who either believed or knew that he was a partner; and
(2) whether he has acted within his actual authority or apparent authority
Although a firm is NOT a legal entity, the firm may sue _____.
In its own name.
Who starts the action of suing in a partnership? (2)
(1) by the partners, or
(2) by one partner on behalf of the others.
A firm may be sued _____. What does this prevent?
In its own name. Having to name all of the partners individually.
Who are judgements obtained against the partnership against as well?
All partners.
Who can the judgements obtained against the partnership be enforced against? (5)
(1) one partner
(2) all partners
(3) firm’s property
(4) one partner’s property
(5) all partners’ property
What type of liability do partners have?
Unlimited liability for the debts owed by the business.
Also known as the disadvantage to partnerships for all the partners, what happens when a partner dies?
His estate remains liable for any unpaid debts of the firm.
How can a partner avoid having his property liable to the firm’s unpaid debts when he dies?
By using a limited liability partnership or company.
The partners of a firm are _____ liable for the debts of the partnership
Jointly and severally.
Since partners are jointly and severally liable, what can a plaintiff do? (3)
(1) sue all partners at once
(2) sue some partners at once
(3) sue any of the partners individually
What happens when you fail to sue one partner in a particular action?
You can still sue that partner in another action.
Each partner is liable for the ____ of the judgement obtained against the partnership.
Whole amount.
In a partnership, who will the creditor collect his debt from?
From the personal assets of any individual partner.
What if one of the partners pays the entire judgement sum (aka more than his proportion)?
He may obtain contribution from his co-partners if they can be found, and are solvent (able to pay debts).
What if the partner who paid the entire judgement sum is unable to obtain/recover any contribution from the other partners?
The creditor is unaffected.
What are the main ways in which a partnership is dissolved automatically? (5)
(1) expiry of fixed term
(2) accomplishment of a certain purpose
(3) retirement of a partner
(4) death of partner
(5) bankruptcy of partner
Upon application of a partner, how may the court dissolve a partnership? (6) My pretty girl picking five ice-creams
(1) mental disorder
(2) permanent incapacity, making him incapable of performing his part
(3) guilty of misconduct that is prejudicial to the carrying on of partnership
(4) persistently breaching the partnership agreement causing irreparable damage to the mutual trust and confidence of the partners
(5) firm can only continue at a loss
(6) it is “just and equitable” to dissolve the partnership
What is a company?
A body corporate through which a group of people conduct a common business
How are company businesses conducted? (2)
(1) with a view to making profit
(2) for non-profit purposes
What is the pro and con to companies over sole proprietorship and partnership?
pro- attractive because of its advantages
con- subject to many more laws and formalities
Unlike a partnership, a company is a _____.
Separate legal entity.
Who is the company separate from? (2)
(1) owners or shareholders; and
(2) managers or directors
What happens when a company is formed or “incorporated”?
It is as if a new unique person has been created in the eyes of the law.
What does ‘new unique person’ mean?
It takes on a personality of its own.