In today’s class, we will be talking more about partnership. Enjoy the class!

Partnership II

CONTENTS

1. Types of Partnership – features

2. Types of ordinary partners

3. Demerits of a limited partner

Types of partnership

There are two main types of partnership business, namely:

1. Ordinary Partnership (or General partnership)

2. The Limited Partnership

The ordinary partnership (general partnership):

Characteristics or features:

1. Membership/Number of partners: May consist of between 2 to 20 persons. However, by the Companies Act 1967, this restriction of not more than 20 persons no longer applies to solicitors, accountants, jobbers and brokers

2. Formation: No special formality, such as registration, is required to form an ordinary partnership

3. Capital/finance: Obtained through money contributed by partners. Some partners may contribute more money than others

4. Liability of partners: partners have unlimited liability

5. Profits are shared or distributed according to the agreement in the deed

6. Powers of partners: Every member of an ordinary partnership is the agent of the other partners to carry on the partnership business. All partners are bound by the actions of one of the partners acting within the scope of that business

7. Management/control: All partners participate in the management of the business

8. Legal status: It is not a separate legal entity

9. Existence/dissolution: An ordinary partnership is automatically dissolved by the death, bankruptcy, or insanity of a partner

Types of ordinary partners

1. Active partner: This is a partner who takes an active part in the management and administration of a partnership business. He shares the profit and losses with other partners.

2. Sleeping or Dormant Partner: A dormant partner contributes capital and shares from the profit or losses but takes no part in the management (i.e. day to day running) of the firm or business

3. Nominal or Quasi Partner: The nominal partner is the one who merely allows his name to be used as a partner in the business. He does not contribute any capital to the business nor take part in the management of the firm. He also does not share in the profits or losses of the business. He is usually a prominent person whose name is just added to the list of partners to enhance the goodwill and the image of the partnership business concerned.

Review questions

1. Write Short notes on the following: (a) General partners, (b) Sleeping partners

2. List five characteristics of an ordinary partnership.

The limited partnership:

Characteristics or features:

1. Membership/Number of partners – same as for ordinary partnership

2. Formation: A limited partnership must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission; otherwise, every limited partner will be liable as a general partner.

3. Capital/finance: As contributed by partners

4. Liability of partners: In the event of a bankruptcy (or debt), the limited partners lose only the capital contributed, which means their personal belongings will not be affected. In other words, the liability of the limited partners is limited to the amount of capital contributed by them. However, there must be at least one general (or ordinary) partner who will have unlimited liability

5. Profits are shared among members, both general (or ordinary), and limited partners, according to the agreement in the deed.

6. Powers of limited partner: The limited partners cannot bind the firm in any trading contract.

NB: On the other hand, however, any action of the general partners are binding on all the other members.

7. Management / Control: Limited Partners cannot take part in the management of the business. He can, however, inspect the firm’s books of account and may offer advice.

8. Legal status: A limited partnership is not a separate entity

9. Existence/dissolution: A limited partnership is automatically dissolved by the death, bankruptcy or insanity of a partner

10. Withdrawal of capital: The limited partner cannot withdraw his capital without the consent of the other partners.

Demerits or limitations of a limited partner

1. He must not take part in the management of the firm

2. He must be registered with the Registrar, Corporate Affairs Commission

3. He has no power to make a binding contract on behalf of the firm.

4. New partners can be admitted without his consent

5. He cannot get back the capital he has invested in the firm without the consent of the other partners

Review questions

1. State FIVE similarities and FIVE differences between an ordinary partnership and a limited partnership

2. List five limitations of a limited partner in a partnership business.

General evaluation

1. Explain six functions of wholesalers to manufacturers

2. State seven facilities a good seaport should have

3. Identify three advantages and two disadvantages of automatic vending

4. State five reasons why countries restrict foreign trade

5. List and explain five problems associated with international trade

Theory

1. Explain the special advantages accruing to a limited partner in a partnership business

2. Write short notes on the following: (a) Active partner, (b) Quasi partner

In our next class, we will discuss money. We hope you enjoyed the class. Send your questions in the comment section below, and we will respond