Definition of Partnership (Section 4)
Mnemonic: AABP - Agreement, Act, Business, Profit
A partnership exists when A two or more persons enter into an A agreement to carry on a B business and share P profits.
Mnemonic Explanation: This covers the statutory elements: agreement → business → profit motive → mutual agency.
Essential Elements of Partnership
Mnemonic: MAGiC-BP - Mutual Agency, Agreement, Good faith, Contribution, Business, Profit
The essential elements of partnership include:
- M - Mutual Agency
- A - Agreement between partners
- G - Good faith and lawful purpose
- C - Contribution of capital/skill/labour
- B - Existence of business
- P - Profit sharing intention
Distinction Between Partnership & Other Relationships
Mnemonic: COLA - Co-ownership, Organization, Liability, Agency
To differentiate partnership from co-ownership or HUF:
- C - Co-ownership arises by status, not by agreement
- O - No organizational structure in co-ownership
- L - Liability is not mutual in co-ownership
- A - No agency relationship among co-owners
Test of Partnership: Mutual Agency
Mnemonic: DAAP - Delegate, Act, Authority, Principal
A partner is both a Delegate and a person with Authority, who may Act as a Principal for the firm. Mutual agency is the real test of partnership.
Types of Partners
Mnemonic: ASSSNM - Active, Sleeping, Secret, Sub-partner, Nominal, Minor
- A - Active partner
- S - Sleeping partner
- S - Secret partner
- S - Sub-partner
- N - Nominal partner
- M - Minor admitted to benefits
Minor Admitted to Benefits (Section 30)
Mnemonic: R-PSLL - Profit, Share, Lawful liabilities limited
- R - Right to receive share of profits
- P - Right to inspect firm property/books
- S - Right to sue for share upon severance
- L - Liability limited to his share
- L - Must give notice on attaining majority
Partnership vs Company
Mnemonic: MALO-SPC - Mutual agency, Artificial personality, Liability, Ownership, Separate Property, Perpetual succession, Control
- M - Mutual agency exists only in partnership
- A - Company is an artificial legal person
- L - Liability: unlimited (partners) vs limited (shareholders)
- O - Separation of ownership and management in company
- S - Firm has no separate property; company does
- P - Perpetual succession in company
- C - Control via MOA/AOA, unlike partnership deed
Partnership Deed - Contents
Mnemonic: CAPITAL-PROFIT-RULES
- C - Capital contribution
- A - Admission conditions
- P - Profit-sharing ratio
- I - Interest on loans/drawings
- T - Terms of remuneration
- A - Accounting policies
- L - Loss-sharing
- P - Powers of partners
- R - Retirement/dissolution
- O - Operation of bank accounts
- F - Firm name & business nature
- I - Internal management rules
- T - Term of partnership
Implied Authority of Partners
Mnemonic: OBMA-NEP - Ordinary Business, Mode, Authority; No: Evidence, Estate, Penalty
Partners can bind the firm when they:
- O - Act in the ordinary course of business
- B - Follow usual business practices
- M - Act according to the established mode of business
- A - Have apparent authority
They cannot, without consent:
- N - Negotiate immovable property
- E - Enter arbitration
- P - Perform penal acts/admit guilt
Liabilities of Partners
Mnemonic: JUS-ALP - Joint, Unlimited, Several; Acts, Losses, Profits
- J - Joint liability
- U - Unlimited liability
- S - Several liability
- A - Based on acts of partners
- L - Losses shared
- P - Profits shared
Registration of Firms
Mnemonic: PS-NARCO - Particulars, Statement, Name, Address, Registration, Changes, Office
- P - Particulars of partners
- S - Statement to registrar
- N - Name of firm
- A - Address of principal business
- R - Registration certificate
- C - Changes to be notified
- O - Office copy stored in register
Effects of Non-Registration
Mnemonic: CAN-SUE? NO - ICR
Non-registered firms cannot:
- C - Claim rights arising from contract
- A - Assert rights in court through suits
- N - No partner can sue the firm
But allowed when:
- I - Insolvency proceedings
- C - Criminal proceedings
- R - Rights not arising from contract
Partnership at Will (Section 7)
Mnemonic: NN - No term, No task
- No fixed duration
- No specific venture or task
Modes of Dissolution of Firm
Mnemonic: PAMJI-C - Parties, Agreement, Misconduct, Judicial, Incapacity, Contingency
- P - By parties' mutual consent
- A - By agreement
- M - Misconduct of partner
- J - Judicial order
- I - Incapacity/insolvency
- C - Contingent events
Rights & Duties of Partners
Mnemonic: PRIME-CLOD - Rights: Profit, Remuneration, Inspection, Management, Equity | Duties: Care, Lawful use, Obedience, Disclosure
Rights:
- P - Share in profits
- R - Remuneration if agreed
- I - Inspection of books
- M - Participation in management
- E - Fair treatment (equity)
Duties:
- C - Exercise due care
- L - Act lawfully
- O - Obey partnership deed terms
- D - Full disclosure of information