Partnerships Flashcards
What are the characteristics of a general partnership?
- an unincorporated association - no separate legal personality
- unlimited joint liability for partnership debts
- limit on members - 2 to 20
- agency relationship - each partner can bind the others in contract
- personal in nature - partners must have trust and confidence in each other (like a marriage)
- Fiduciary responsibility in favor of each other
- Jointly owned assets
- called ‘firms’
- all are entitled to manage (subject to agreement to the contrary)
Where the Partnership Act is silent, what applies?
The rules of equity and common law prevails
Why is a partnership agreement important?
The partnership agreement is an exceedingly important reference point for determining the legal relationship between partners and the rules governing the operation of the partnership as a business vehicle.
several rules/provisions are subject to any contrary agreement between the partners.
Formation of partnership requires both ______________ of all partners as well as the _____________________.
the agreement;
the actual commencement of the partnership business.
Demerits of a general partnership?
- unlimited personal liability for debts
- more potential for conflict
- no perpertual succession
What are the merits of a general partnership?
- easy to form - little formality - No registration necessary
- more opportunity for capitalism (in comparison to SP)
- personal liability for debts is shared
- Privacy - absence of registration requirements
- shared management and skills
- inexpensive to maintain
What is the minimum number of persons required to form a partnership?
2 people
Name two major distinction between a sole proprietorship and a general partnership.
Answer may include:
- The number of persons. 1 in a sole and 2 to 20 in a partnership
- Agency- sole proprietor’s action would only affect them
- You have more people who can contribute to the capital of the business
True or False.
all assets used in the partnership business are partnership assets.
False
How are partnerships governed?
Partnerships are governed by the common law, and where applicable, by statute.
When is registration of a general partnership required?
Where a trade name is being used, registration under the Business Names Act is required.
What is the utility of a Written partnership agreement?
- May impose terms which are contrary to the common law or statutory provisions.
- Avoids reliance on terms which the law implies.
- May vary the requirement for unanimity which, at law, is required for certain decisions
- Provides a ready reference for what was agreed.
- Focuses the mind of the prospective partners on the issues which should be discussed and agreed, not only to avoid disputes but also to establish a working framework for the operation of the partnership
- Provides a framework for resolving disputes
- May be required for financial and other institutions
What is the impact, in law, of the death of a partner?
Partnership will dissolve
What is a technical dissolution?
Even where the partnership agreement provides that the partnership will not be dissolved on the death or retirement of a partner, at law, a type of dissolution is deemed to take place. This is a technical dissolution. In this, the old firm is dissolved and a new firm is immediately created between the remaining partners. The new firm will continue the existing partnership business.
In a general dissolution, no new partnership is created, the affairs of the partnership are wound up and the partnership business ceases. In a technical dissolution, there is no winding up.
What does ‘With a view to profit’ mean?
The business must be carried on for the purpose of making a profit.
There must be the intention to make a profit but the fact of profit is irrelevant as to whether a partnership exists.
Using one word, indicate the underlying legal basis of the partnership relationship.
Contractual
Name two legal characteristics of the relationship between partners.
-Agreement/Contractual relationship
- Agency
- Fiduciary
True or False.
A partnership is wound up and then dissolved.
False.
The first stage is dissolution and then winding up
Fill in the blank. The partners in a partnership are collectively referred to as a _________?
Firm
What are the elements of partnership?
-two or more persons
-carrying on business in common
-with a view to profit
Name two respects in which a sole proprietorship is similar to a general partnership.
Answer may include:
- No Registration requirements
- No separate legal personality
- Unlimited lability for the debts of the business – both personal and business assets are on the line
- No need to register
- Not perpetual
- Management and ownership are one and the same
True or False .
A business which is unprofitable cannot, in law, be a partnership?
False
Is there an upper limit on the number of persons who may form a Law Partnership?
20 = upper limit
Section 3 (2), 10 is for banking and 20 is for others
True or False
a company may be partner in a partnership?
True