Starting a new business through the vehicle of a company, partnership, LLP, or as a sole trader Flashcards
Sole trader -
Formation:
no formalities required.
Sole trader -
Separate legal personality:
no
Sole trader -
Liability of members:
unlimited liability
Sole trader -
Public disclosure and reporting:
no
Sole trader -
Management:
self-managed
Sole trader -
Security:
fixed charges only
Sole trader -
Transfer of ownership rights:
no
Sole trader -
Dissolution:
cease trading as sole trader.
Partnership (PA 1890) -
Formation:
exists when 2 or more people carry on a business in common with a view to make a profit.
Partnership (PA 1890) -
Separate legal personality:
no separate legal personality from its partners.
Partnership (PA 1890) -
Limited liability:
unlimited liability for debts and liabilities of the partnership.
Partnership (PA 1890) -
Public disclosure and reporting:
no
Partnership (PA 1890) - Management:
by partners
Partnership (PA 1890) -
Security:
fixed charges only
Partnership (PA 1890) -
Transfer of ownership rights:
partner can’t withdraw from partnership by transferring his interest, as his exit will bring the partnership to an end.
New partner may or may not be accepted as a partner in the new partnership.
Partnership (PA 1890) -
Dissolution:
remains as long as partners carry on business in common with a view to a profit.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPA 2000) -
Formation:
formed by registering an incorporating document with CO HSE.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPA 2000) -
Separate legal personality:
separate legal entity from its members.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPA 2000) -
Liability of members:
members have no liability for the debts and liabilities of the LLP.
On a winding up, members are liable to contribute to the LLP the amount (if any) agreed in the LLP Agreement.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPA 2000) -
Public disclosure and reporting:
extensive public disclosure, reporting requirements apply.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPA 2000) -
Management:
managed by the members.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPA 2000) -
Security:
fixed and floating charges.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPA 2000) -
Transfer of ownership rights:
members can’t transfer their ownership interest without the agreement of the other members.
Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPA 2000) -
Dissolution:
remains until terminated by removal from the register.
Private Limited Company (CA 2000) - Formation:
formed by registering specified documents and forms with CO HSE.
Private Limited Company (CA 2000) - Separate legal personality:
separate legal personality from its members and managers.
Private Limited Company (CA 2000) - Liability of members:
members have no personal liability for the debts and liabilities of the company.
When called upon or on a winding up, members are required to contribute any unpaid part of the nominal value of the shares they own.
Private Limited Company (CA 2000) - Public disclosure and reporting:
public disclosure requirements: constitutional documents, details of capital, details of members, directors, and accounts
(exemptions for small and dormant companies apply).
Private Limited Company (CA 2000) - Management:
directors responsible for daily management.
Private Limited Company (CA 2000) - Security:
fixed and floating charges.
Private Limited Company (CA 2000) - Transfer of ownership rights:
member can transfer shares and cease to be a member of the company without the consent of the company or other members unless there is provision in the articles.
Private Limited Company (CA 2000) - Dissolution:
remains until it is dissolved by the registrar removing its name from the register.
Public Limited Company (CA 2006) - Formation:
formed by registering specified documents and forms with CO HSE.
Public Limited Company (CA 2006) - Separate legal personality:
separate legal personality from its members and managers.
Public Limited Company (CA 2006) - Liability of members:
members have no personal liability for the debts and liabilities of the company.
When called upon or on a winding up, members are required to contribute any unpaid part of the nominal value of the shares they own.
Public Limited Company (CA 2006) - Public disclosure and reporting:
extensive public disclosure requirements: constitutional documents, details of capital, details of members, directors, and audited documents.
Public Limited Company (CA 2006) - Management:
directors responsible for daily management.
Public Limited Company (CA 2006) - Security:
fixed and floating charges.
Public Limited Company (CA 2006) - Transfer of ownership rights:
member can transfer shares and cease to be a member of the company without the consent of the company.
Unlikely to be transfer restrictions since a PLC.
Public Limited Company (CA 2006) - Dissolution:
remains until it is dissolved by the registrar removing its name from the register.
A company has…
a separate legal personality.
The company is recognised by law as…
a legal person which has its own rights and obligations separate from natural persons (the individuals) who run it.
The company is recognised by law as a legal person which has its own rights and obligations separate from natural persons (the individuals) who run it.
This means that:
Company owns its own property.
Company can sue and be sued in its own name.
Company will enter into contracts with third parties and incur contractual rights and obligations.
Company is able to borrow money and give security over its assets.
Company can incur debts in its own name.
Company property doesn’t belong to the members of the company.
The directors and members have no direct liability for the debts of the company and creditors can’t sue them to pay off these debts or seize their personal assets.
Company is taxed separately from the members and directors of the company.
The liability to pay for tax for the company’s activities is the company’s alone.
Limited Liability refers to?
the members own liability, not about company’s liability.
Person becomes a member by?
buying shares in a company. Become an owner of the company.