make your free partnership agreement

partnership agreement

this agreement is made as a deed on the date of the last signature below (the agreement)

between the persons listed in schedule 1 (the initial partners).

the initial partners agree that:

meanings

1. these words and phrases have defined meanings:

   accounting reference date	in each year;
   accountants	the partnership's accountants or auditors from time to time;
   bank	the partnership's bank from time to time;
   business day	a day other than a saturday, a sunday or a public holiday in england and wales;
   capital account	a partner's capital account maintained according to paragraph 11;
   confidential information	all information of a confidential nature (however recorded or preserved) concerning the partnership, a partner (or former partner) or their respective businesses (including details of customers, clients, suppliers, plans, intentions, market opportunities, operations, processes, product information, know-how, designs, trade secrets or software) and the terms of this agreement;
   continuing partners	those persons who, on a change of partners, continue as partners;
   contribution	any money paid or assets transferred to the partnership by a partner as a capital contribution;
   current account	a partner's current account maintained according to paragraph 20;
   exit date	the date a partner retires, is deemed to retire or is expelled from the partnership;
   expenditure limit	£  ;
   leaving partner	a partner who has retired, been deemed to retire or been expelled from the partnership;
   partners	the initial partners as long as they remain partners and all other people who are or become parties to this agreement at any time;
   partnership	the partnership formed and carried on by the partners as set out in this agreement;
   partnership accounts	the annual accounts of the partnership to be prepared as set out in the section below (accountants, accounts and records);
   partnership property	the premises and all other assets (or rights in them) which are used by the partnership for the purposes of the business described in this agreement;
   partnership year	each period of 12 months ending on the accounting reference date, or any other period determined by the partners;
   premises	the offices or other premises occupied by the partnership, details of which are in paragraph 10; and
   profit	for any partnership year, the net profit of the partnership as shown by the partnership accounts for that partnership year, and loss has a corresponding meaning.

2. in this agreement, unless the context means a different interpretation is needed:
   1. including means "including without limitation";
   2. words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa, and words denoting any gender include all genders;
   3. a person includes firms, companies, government entities, trusts and partnerships;
   4. a party means a party to this agreement and includes its assignees and successors in title and, in the case of an individual, to their estate and personal representatives;
   5. reference to a paragraph or schedule is to a paragraph or schedule of or to this agreement (and the schedules form part of this agreement);
   6. reference to a statute or statutory provision includes any modification of or amendment to it, and all statutory instruments or orders made under it; and
   7. reference to writing or written includes faxes and email but not any other type of electronic communication.
3. the headings in this agreement are for convenience only and do not affect its meaning.

formation and name

1. the partnership is formed for the purpose of engaging in .
2. the partnership is called .
3. any person can with this agreement be appointed as a partner provided:
   1. their appointment is approved by a unanimous vote of the partners; and
   2. they enter into a written instrument, stating the date on which the appointment takes effect and otherwise in such form as the partners specify, under which they agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.

start date and duration

1. the partnership begins on or, if the agreement is signed after , is deemed to have begun on .
2. the partnership will not automatically dissolve if any partner stops being a partner by reason of their death, retirement or expulsion, or a new partner is admitted, under the provisions of this agreement.
3. the partnership continues until dissolved by the partners under the section below (management and decisions).

place of business

1. the business of the partnership is carried on at the premises known as     or such other premises as the partners from time to time determine under the section below (management and decisions).

capital

1. each partner will have a capital account. any contribution made by that partner, their share of any capital profits and any interest payable on their share in the partnership capital will be credited to their capital account. any repayment of capital to a partner and their share of any capital losses will be debited to their capital account. each capital account will be adjusted to reflect any revaluation of assets.
2. the initial capital of the partnership is    to be contributed immediately by the partners equally.
3. any contribution must be:
   1. a payment in cash into the partnership bank account, and/or
   2. with the agreement of all the other partners, a contribution of assets.
4. if at any time the partners decide to increase the capital of the partnership, the amounts of the increase will be contributed in such proportions as they may agree and, in default of agreement, in the same proportions to which they are entitled to share in the capital of the partnership.
5. the capital for the time being of the partnership belongs to the partners in the proportions to which the balance of each of their capital accounts bears to the total capital of the partnership.
6. no partner is entitled to any interest on the amount of their share of the partnership capital unless agreed by all the partners.
7. no partner while in the partnership can withdraw any of their capital except with the written consent of all the other partners.

profits and losses

1. the partners will share the profit for each partnership year and bear any loss for any partnership year   unless otherwise determined by the partners.
2. if any person is a partner for part only of a partnership year, their share of any profit or loss for that partnership year will be calculated as if they have been a partner for the whole of that partnership year, but the share to which they would otherwise have been entitled will then be reduced by applying a fraction, where the denominator is the number of days in the partnership year, and the numerator is the number of days in that partnership year during which the person was not a partner.

current accounts, drawings and tax

1. each partner will have a current account. the partner's share of any profit (other than capital profits) will be credited to their current account. any drawings made by the partner, any payments of or provisions for tax and the partner's share of any loss (other than capital losses) will be debited to their current account.
2. each partner is entitled to draw on account of their share of the profit for the then-current partnership year such sum as the partners may determine.
3. as soon as practicable after the partnership accounts are approved under paragraph 30, each partner's current account will be credited or (as the case may be) debited with their share of the profit or loss for that partnership year, after reserving out of the profit before distribution any tax which the accountants estimate is payable by that partner during the next partnership year and after taking into account any amount which has been credited or debited to that partner's current account during the partnership year under paragraph 20. if, after this, there is a debit balance on that current account, that partner will, unless the partners otherwise determine, pay to the partnership a sum equal to that balance within 30 days from the date which the relevant partnership accounts are approved under paragraph 30.
4. subject to paragraph 22, no partner can, without the previous consent of the partners, allow a debit balance to arise on their current account, and each partner must, at the request of the partners, immediately pay to the partnership the amount of any such debit balance.
5. without prejudice to paragraph 23 above, if there is at any time a debit balance on any partner's current account then (except as set out in paragraph 25 below) interest, calculated at the rate of % above the base lending rate from time to time of the bank (the interest rate), is payable by the partner on the amount of the balance outstanding from time to time until payment is made in full.
6. interest is not payable on any part of that debit balance (i) which is attributable to the partner's share of any loss for any partnership year and is paid to the partnership under paragraph 22 and (ii) where the obligation to repay such debit balance has not yet arisen under paragraph 22.
7. the partners will ensure that any amount of profit reserved under paragraph 22 on account of tax estimated to be payable by a partner is paid to hm revenue & customs (or other appropriate tax authority) at the appropriate time

accountants, accounts and records

1. the partners will ensure that proper books of accounts are kept giving a true and fair view of the partnership's business. the books are available for inspection by each of the partners and the accountants at any time.
2. as soon as practicable after the end of each partnership year, the partners will instruct the accountants to draw up a profit and loss account in respect of that partnership year and a balance sheet as at the relevant accounting reference date (partnership accounts).
3. the partnership accounts must be approved by the partners and, once approved, will become binding on each of the partners, except in the case of manifest error.

bank accounts

1. the bank is the banker of the partnership.
2. all partnership monies not required for current expenses and all cheques must be paid promptly into the partnership bank account.
3. all cheques or instructions for the electronic transfer of money from any account of the partnership with the bank will be in the partnership's name and can be drawn or given:
   1. for amounts up to and including the expenditure limit, by any partner; and
   2. for amounts in excess of the expenditure limit, by   the managing partner. 
4. in the case of instructions for electronic transfer, written confirmation of those instructions will be signed by the   managing partner. 

partnership property

1. partnership property belongs to the partners in the proportions in which they are entitled to share in the capital of the partnership.
2. any partnership property which is vested in one or more of the individual partners' names is held by them on trust for sale for all of the partners. all costs and expenses relating to such partnership property will be borne by the partnership and the other partners shall indemnify the partner or partners in whom such property is vested against all liabilities which may arise directly or indirectly in respect of it.

indemnity

1. each partner will indemnify and keep indemnified the other partners from and against all payments made and liabilities incurred by each such partner in the performance of their duties as a partner in the ordinary course of the business of the partnership or in respect of anything necessarily done by them for the preservation of the business or partnership property.

insurance

1. the partners will obtain and maintain policies of insurance against risks and for amounts as the partners agree for:
   1. partnership property;
   2. employers' liability;
   3. public liability;
   4. professional negligence;
   5. loss of profits resulting from the destruction of or damage to premises used to carry out the business of the partnership;
   6. loss of profits resulting from the destruction of or damage to or theft of any plant equipment, chattels, cars and other vehicles, including in the case of any computers or ancillary equipment any virus or corruption or loss of any software or data;
   and any other insurance policies the partners consider appropriate.

holidays

1. each partner is entitled to a total of     holiday in each partnership year.    each partner must consult with the   about the time when the partner intends to take holidays and take them at a time considered most practical for the partnership.

obligations of partners

1. each partner agrees at all times:
   1. to use their best skills and endeavours towards the successful operating of the partnership and at all times conduct themselves in a fair and proper manner in all transactions of any nature affecting the partnership;
   2. to disclose to the other partners any matter that may prejudice the business prospects of the partnership and generally show the utmost good faith to the other partners in all transactions relating to the partnership;
   3. not to disclose confidential information to any person, firm or business unless with the prior written consent of all the other partners;
   4. that no other partners will be added to the partnership without the express prior written approval of all of the partners;
   5. to keep proper records of all business transacted by or on behalf of the partnership;
   6. to duly and punctually pay and discharge their separate and private debts and liabilities and keep the partnership, the partnership property and the other partners and their respective estates and effects indemnified against all actions, proceedings, costs, claims, and demands in relation to such private debts and liabilities;
   7. to comply with all regulations, professional standards and other provisions about the conduct of the partnership's business generally, including any directions made from time to time by the partners.
2. each partner agrees that they will not without the written consent of all the other partners:
   1. whilst they are a partner, carry on or be engaged or interested in any business, occupation or activity or take steps to set up or promote or facilitate the establishment of any business, occupation or activity which competes or intends to compete with any part of the business of the partnership;
   2. employ, or terminate the employment of, any employee or agent of the partnership;
   3. loan any money or partnership property to any other person, firm or business, nor accept any such money or property, whether in the form of a loan or otherwise, on behalf of the partnership from any other person, firm or business;
   4. offer a guarantee, security or any other promise for the payment of any liabilities incurred by the partnership in the ordinary course of business, nor shall they accept a guarantee, security or promise for such sums as may be owed to the partnership from time to time, nor shall accept any compromise or part-payment of any such sums that may be owed to the partnership from time to time;
   5. transfer, mortgage, or charge their share in the partnership or any part of it;
   6. open any bank account or borrow any money in the name of or for the partnership.

management and decisions

1. unless this agreement specifies otherwise, where a matter under this agreement requires the decision of the partners, such matter will be determined by the partners by simple majority vote.
2. the following matters require the unanimous consent of the partners:
   1. the admission of new partners to the partnership;
   2. the alteration of the partners' shares in profits and losses;
   3. any change to this agreement;
   4. the partnership giving a guarantee in excess of the expenditure limit;
   5. changing the premises or opening new premises;
   6. changing the name of the partnership;
   7. the partnership borrowing or lending any sum in excess of the expenditure limit;
   8. the acquisition or disposal of all or part of the business of the partnership or merger with another partnership;
   9. any purchase of a capital item by the partnership costing in excess of the expenditure limit;
   10. a change in the accounting reference date;
   11. a change in the business of the partnership as set out in paragraph 4;
   12. the expulsion of any partner;
   13. any decision to dissolve the partnership.
3. meetings of the partners may be called by any partner .
4. no less than    days' notice of the meeting must be given to all those entitled to attend, but a meeting can be convened at shorter notice if all the partners agree in writing.
5. the quorum for a meeting of the partners is   partners.

goodwill

1. the goodwill of the partnership is deemed to be of nil value and the share of a leaving partner in the goodwill, if any, of the partnership automatically accrues to the continuing partners and no leaving partner has any claim in respect of it.

expenses

1. each partner is entitled to claim back out-of-pocket expenses properly incurred by them in connection with the partnership on provision of a receipt and vat invoice where appropriate.
2. the partners can decide to place upper limits on any category or categories of expenses that can be claimed.

voluntary retirement

1. a partner can retire from the partnership by giving not less than    written notice to the other partners. their exit date will be the date that notice expires.

involuntary retirement

1. a partner will be deemed to retire from the partnership:
   1. immediately on their death and their exit date will be the date of their death;
   2. on expiry of at least three months' written notice from the partners requiring them to retire as a partner because they have been unable to perform their duties as a partner for either:
      1. a continuous period of 6 months or more; or
      2. an aggregate period of 6 months or more during the previous 12 month period.
      a notice under this paragraph is of no effect if the partner who has been served the notice satisfactorily resumes their duties as a partner before the notice expires and the other partners decide to withdraw the notice; or
   3. immediately if the partners serve them written notice requiring them to retire as a partner after they have become a patient under the mental health act 1983 and their exit date will be the date of that notice.

expulsion

1. the other partners may by written notice (signed by all of them) to the partner concerned expel that person immediately from membership of the partnership if that person:
   1. commits a serious breach of this agreement which is either incapable of remedy or is not remedied within  business days after it occurs;
   2. commits persistent breaches of this agreement;
   3. has a bankruptcy order made against them;
   4. fails to pay any money owed by them to the partnership within 10 business days of a written request for payment from the partnership or any partner;
   5. is guilty of any conduct likely to have a serious negative effect upon the business of the partnership; or
   6. no longer holds a professional qualification or certification required for the normal performance of their duties as a partner.
2. if the partners are not already aware, a partner must inform the other partners as soon as possible after the occurrence of an event mentioned in the above paragraph.
3. the expulsion notice must give sufficient details of the alleged breach or breaches.
4. the expelled partner's exit date is the date of expiration of the expulsion notice.

provisions relating to leaving partners

1. if a partner retires, is deemed to retire or is expelled on a date other than an accounting reference date:
   1. they are not entitled to receive any share of the profit and will not be liable for any share of the loss of the partnership arising after their exit date;
   2. the partnership is not obliged to prepare any accounts other than the partnership accounts which would normally be prepared up to the next accounting reference date; and
   3. the profit or loss shown in those partnership accounts will be apportioned on a time basis for the periods before and after the partner's retirement, deemed retirement or expulsion in order to calculate the amount of their share in the profit or loss.
2. on retirement, deemed retirement or expulsion of a partner the partnership will owe them the amount of their share in the partnership capital as shown in the partnership accounts as at either the accounting reference date following their exit date or the accounting reference date that is their exit date. for the avoidance of doubt, there will be no amount payable to them in respect of goodwill.
3. if a partner is expelled and the profitability of the partnership is reduced as a result of any event which led to their expulsion, the other partners may instruct the accountants (or, if they are unwilling or unable to act, an alternative firm of accountants appointed by the president of the institute of chartered accountants in england and wales) to certify as experts the amount of that reduction in profitability. regardless of any other paragraph in this agreement, the amount that would otherwise be payable to the expelled partner will be reduced by the certified amount of that reduction in profitability.

payments to leaving partners

1. on the death of a partner the partners must:
   1. on the first day of the next three months, pay an amount equal to their normal monthly drawings then applicable. these payments will be made to the deceased partner's personal representatives, widow or another person as the partners decide in their absolute discretion (but the partners are not concerned whether or not the recipient(s) of these payments will prove to be entitled at law to the deceased partner's estate); and
   2. pay the partner's share in the capital of the partnership (after allowing for the payments referred to in the above paragraph to the deceased partner's personal representatives) as soon as reasonably practical but in any case within one year of their death (together with interest at the interest rate on the amount payable).
2. on the retirement, deemed retirement (other than on a death) or expulsion of a partner, the partnership will pay to the retiring or expelled partner the amount of that partner's share in the capital of the partnership (together with interest at the interest rate on any part of it outstanding). the payment will be made by four equal six-monthly instalments. the date of the first instalment will be either the accounting reference date following their exit date or the accounting reference date that is their exit date. instalments can be paid earlier by the partners at their discretion.

leaving partners' obligations

1. each leaving partner must pay into the partnership's bank account immediately all sums due from them to the partnership and any of these sums which are not paid will be recoverable from them by the partners as a debt.
2. each leaving partner must return to the partners all accounting records, letters and other documents in their possession relating to the partnership which are needed for the continuing conduct of the business of the partnership. while the leaving partner is owed money by the partners, they or their duly authorised agents are permitted to inspect by appointment the partnership's accounting records, letters and other documents to the extent they relate to any period preceding the exit date.
3. each leaving partner must promptly do all things and sign all documents reasonably requested by the partners (and at the partners' sole expense) to assign or transfer to the partners any property or assets which immediately prior to the exit date were owned by or vested in the leaving partner as nominee for or in trust for the partners.

general

dissolution

1. if the partnership is dissolved, the affairs of the partnership will be wound up and the assets and liabilities dealt with in the manner provided by the partnership act 1890.

entire agreement

1. this agreement contains the whole agreement between the parties relating to its subject matter and supersedes all prior discussions, arrangements or agreements that might have taken place in relation to the agreement. nothing in this paragraph limits or excludes any liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

assignment

1. no party may assign, transfer, sub-contract, or in any other manner make over to any third party the benefit and/or burden of this agreement without the prior written consent of the other party or parties.

variation

1. no variation to this agreement will be valid or binding unless it is recorded in writing and signed by or on behalf of each of the parties.

notices

1. any notice (other than in legal proceedings) to be given to a partner under this agreement must be in writing and delivered by handing such notice to the partner in question personally, or by sending it pre-paid first class post to or by leaving it by hand delivery at the last known address of the partner in question or, being addressed to such partner, by sending it pre-paid first class port to or by leaving it by hand delivery at the main place of business of the partnership or by sending it by email to an address notified by the partner in question as being an address at which such partner is prepared to accept service of notices.
2. notices which are:
   1. sent by post will be deemed to have been received, where posted from and to addresses in the united kingdom, on the second business day after the date of posting, and where posted from or to addresses outside the united kingdom, on the tenth business day after the date of posting;
   2. delivered by hand will be deemed to have been received at the time the notice is left at the proper address; and
   3. sent by email will be deemed to have been received on the next business day after sending.

miscellaneous

1. the contracts (rights of third parties) act 1999 shall not apply to this agreement and no third party will have any right to enforce or rely on any provision of this agreement.
2. unless otherwise agreed, no delay, act or omission by a party in exercising any right or remedy will be deemed a waiver of that, or any other, right or remedy.
3. provisions which by their intent or terms are meant to survive the termination of this agreement will do so.
4. if any court or competent authority finds that any provision of this agreement (or part of any provision) is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision will, to the extent required, be deemed to be deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of this agreement will not be affected.

governing law and jurisdiction

1. this agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising in connection with it will be governed by and interpreted according to the law of england and wales. all disputes arising under or in connection with the agreement will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the english and welsh courts.

schedule 1

details of initial partners