Registration Of Partnership Firm

A Partnership Firm is nothing but an organization of two or more people having a mutual understanding to run business and earn profit. Partnership firms are governed by the Indian Partnership Act, 1932 in India. Individuals are known are partners and collectively as a partnership firms.

Characteristics of Partnership Firm

Here are the characteristics of a Partnership Firm business:

Number of Partners
Voluntary Registration
Contractual Relationship
Competence of Partners
Sharing of Profit and Loss
Unlimited Liability
Legal Status
Transfer of Interest
Principal - Agent Relationship

No. of Partners: There must be 2 or more partners to start a partnership business. The maximum no. is restricted to 10 while doing business of banking and 20 in all other cases.
Voluntary Registration: The registration of a partnership is optional however it is always advisable to register the firm as there are lots of other benefits persist.
Contractual Relationship: There is a contractual relationship among all partners. The relation is governed through a Partnership Deed containing provisions on different aspects. The deed is signed by all the partners which bind each and every one of them.
Competence of Partners: It has been provided under the Act that the partners entering into the Agreement must be competent they must not be minor.
Sharing of Profit and Loss: The profit or losses are being shared by the partners in the ratio as agreed among them and written in the Agreement.
Unlimited Liability: In all partnership firms which are governed through the aforesaid Act the liability of all partners is unlimited, they all combinedly liable for the losses being suffered by the firm.
Transfer of Interest: The interest of the partners cannot be transferred without the consent of the other partners.
Principal - Agent Relationship: There is a Principal Agent relationship among partners and firm. The agent act on the behalf of the firm and it is expected that he shall work in the best interest of the firm. The business may be carried out by the entire partner jointly or by any one of them acting on behalf of other partners.

What are the Advantages of Partnership Firm?

1. Easy Formation
2. Larger Resources
3. Flexibility in operation
4. Better Management
5. Sharing of Risk

Easy Formation: The Registration of partnerships firm is optional and does not require any formality to be done, one can start the business as per mutual understanding. Hence, it is easy to form and very economical.
Larger Resources: It is due to the reason that there are ample numbers of human resource, the partnership firm having larger resources for their business operations as compared to sole proprietorship firms.
Flexibility in operation: Yes, the partnership firm has an advantage of flexibility. They can take decisions and can modify according to the dynamic environment easily.
Better Management: It is only because of the ownership, control and profit. The business can be well managed.
Sharing of Risk: As the loss is shared individually by all the partners.
The interest of all partners is very well protected.

What are the Disadvantages of Partnership Firm?

1. Instability
2. Unlimited Liability
3. Lack of Harmony
4. Limited Capital
5. No legal status

1. Instability: This is one of the disadvantages of the partnership firm; like a Company is a going concern meaning that the Company cannot be dissolved with the death or retirement of any person. However, any death, insolvency may result in the dissolution of the partnership firm.

2. Unlimited Liability: Each and every partner of the partnership firm has unlimited liability. Whenever any dispute arises which results in great loss to the firm, then the personal property of the partners can be attached to compensate the loss being suffered by any party against the firm.

3. Lack of Harmony: As we know that the partnership firm is governed only through the Agreement, there can be cases where one partner may not agree with the opinion or decision of another partner which will ultimately result in mistrust and disharmony.

4. Limited Capital: It will be depending upon the financial state of partners, as the maximum no. is restricted only to 20 this is obvious that there will be limited capital in the hands of the partnership firm.

5. No legal status: the partnership firm has no legal status like other Private and Public limited companies.

How to register a Partnership firm?

It is easy to form a partnership firm in India. As the firm is not required to get registered the business can be started at any time without doing any legal formalities. On the other hand, if someone wants to create a partnership firm. Then an application can be filed under Section 58 of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932. The application is to be filed with the jurisdictional Registrar of Firm.

The Registrar of Firm after being satisfied will issue a certificate of registration to the firm.