Monday, March 29, 2010

TYPES OR KINDS OF PARTNERS

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There are different types of partners in the different types of partners in the partnership firm and they may be classified as under:

(1) General, Active or Working Partner : The partner who provides capital and takes active part in the conduct of business is known as general or active partner. He is also known as working partner who gives special assistance to the firm. He may or may not be renewed by him. It depends upon the agreement between the partners.

(2) Inactive, Dormant or Sleeping Partner : The partner who provides capital to the business and shares in the profit or loss of the firm but does not participate in the management is known as inactive, dormant or sleeping partner.

(3) Nominal Partner : A nominal partner is one who lend his name to the firm as a partner. Such partner does not invest any capital nor he participates in management. However, his liability towards third parties is just like the other general partners.

(4) Partner in Profit Only : A person may become a partner for sharing profits only but he does not get a share in its loss. He provides capital and is also liable to third parties like other partners. Such a partner is generally inactive but associated for his money and goodwill.

(5) Limited Partner : A limited partner is a partner whose liability is limited to his invested capital only. Such partner cannot take part in the management of the business but he can inspect the accounts and receive profit from the business. Moreover, a partnership cannot be established only with limited partners.

(6) Secret Partner : Some people become partner but his membership is kept secret from outsiders. Such partner is known as secret partner. His liability is unlimited and liable for the losses of the business. He can take part in the working of business.

(7) Partner by Disposal or Holding Out : When a person is not a partner but poses himself as a partner either by words or in writing or by his acts, he is called a partner by disposal or holding out. He shall be liable to an outsider who deals with the firm on the presumption of that person being a partner in the business though is not a partner and does not contribute anything to the business.

(8) Minor Partner : A minor cannot enter into a contract according to the act. So a minor cannot be made partner in the real sense of the term. However, a minor may be taken as a partner with the consent of all partners. He is like a limited partner. His personal property is not liable to pay the debts of the firm. However, he can share in partnership property and profits of the firm. He cannot take active part in the management of the firm.

(9) Retired or Outgoing Partner : A partner is known as retired or outgoing partner when he leaves the firm but other partners continue to carry on the business. He is liable for all the debts of the firm, which were incurred before his retirement. He may continue to be liable if proper notice of his retirement is not given to the creditors.

(10) Incoming Partner : A person who joins an existing firm with the consent of all the existing partners is known as new or incoming partner. He is not held liable for the debts and obligations of the firm incurred before his joining the firm. However, he may be held liable for such debts only when he agrees to it and the creditors are informed accordingly. Incoming partner has not only to contribute to the capital of the firm but also to pay some goodwill to the existing partners.

(11) Quasi Partner : A quasi partner is one who is no longer a partner of business but has left his capital in the business as loan. He receives interest on such as loan is not paid off.

TYPES OF PARTNERSHIP

Partnerships may be divided into two kinds:
(1) General partnership, and
(2) Limited partnerships.

(1) General Partnership : The liability of partners is unlimited in general partnership. All the partners personally and collectively are liable for the obligations of the firm. All partners have equal rights and all of them can participate in management. General partnership are of the following kinds:
(a) Partnership at Will : This type of partnership continues up to the time partners have faith in each other. It is dissolved when all partners wants dissolution or any of the partners given notice for dissolution of the firm. The duration of the firm is not fixed beforehand.

(b) Particular Partnership : If a partnership is established for a definite work or a definite period, it is known as a particular partnership. It is of two kinds: (1) Fixed Work Partnership – This type of partnership is started to complete a fixed work. After the completion of work the partnership dissolves. (2) Fixed Term Partnership – This type of partnership is established for definite period. The partnership dissolves with the termination of period.


(2) Limited Partnership : If in a partnership, the liability of one or more partners is limited to the amount of capital invested by them, it is known as limited partnership. In such a firm at least one partner must have unlimited liability. So in limited partnership the liability of some partners is limited while liability of some partners is unlimited. The partners with limited liability are called special partners and they cannot participate in management. They can make suggestions only.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOLE TRADING AND PARTNERSHIP

The difference between Sole trading and partnership are as follows:

Sole Trading Concern ;

1. Membership : It is owned and controlled by only one person.

2. Agreement : The question of agreement does not arise.

3. Capital : Only the capital of one person is used in the business. Thus, it may suffer from shortage of capital.

4. Decision : The owners has full control over his business. So he is able to take decision promptly.

5. Secrecy : There is a complete secrecy in the business.

6. Risk : The whole risk is beared by the proprietor.

7. Management : This business is controlled by one person only.

8. Desire for Work : The sole proprietor owns all and risks all. So, he works with interest and dedications.


Partnership Firm :

1. Membership : Two or more persons known as partners own partnership.


2. Agreement : An agreement is necessarily required to form partnership.

3. Capital : All the partners contribute towards capital of the firm. So, more capital than sole trading can be collected.

4. Decision : All important decisions are taken by consent of all partners. So, it is time consuming process.

5. Secrecy : The secrets of the business are in the knowledge of all the partners.

6. Risk : All the partners share risk.

7. Management : All partners have equal rights and all of them can participate in the management.

8. Desire for Work : There is less desire for work because a partner may think that other partners will share the benefit of his work too.