Last Updated July 3, 2024
What is a Partnership Agreement?
A Partnership Agreement is a contract between two or more business partners in a for-profit general partnership. It outlines their rights, responsibilities, and capital contributions and establishes rules for their business, such as the profit and loss distribution.
A Partnership Agreement is also known as a:
- General Partnership Agreement
- Business Partnership Agreement
Who should use a Partnership Agreement?
All owners of general partnerships should use a Partnership Agreement.
Two or more people or companies can start a business as a general partnership. The partners can involve any mix of individuals and business entities. For instance, two businesses can come together to form a partnership.
It’s important to note that each partner in a general partnership is equally liable for the debts, obligations, and actions of the partnership and the other partner(s).
Utilizing a Partnership Agreement is crucial for all general partners to outline their terms, rights, and responsibilities. Also, it establishes a clear understanding of the partnership's operations and governance.
Are Partnership Agreements required?
A partnership doesn’t have to be formally created like other types of companies. Therefore, a Partnership Agreement isn’t legally required. If two or more people begin working together for profit, partnership law will apply by default to that situation.
However, not everything in the applicable partnership laws will suit the needs of a modern partnership, so it’s essential that partners define suitable rules in a Partnership Agreement. It minimizes the potential for disputes between partners. Similarly, most businesses create a Business Plan despite it not being required.
Even though it’s not legally required to use an agreement, partners must register their partnership in Canada, either provincially or federally.
Elements of a Partnership Agreement
A comprehensive Partnership Agreement should include the following information:
Basic details
- The business address
- When the partnership will start and end
- A description of the business (i.e., the type of service)
- The partnership’s name
- Each partner’s full name and address
Capital contributions
- Each partner’s capital contributions (e.g., time, effort, cash, equipment, etc.)
- The total value of each partner’s contributions
- The deadline for initial capital contribution
Withdrawal and dissolution rules
- The notice period required before a partner can withdraw
- Whether the partnership dissolves upon any partner’s withdrawal
- Whether a unanimous or majority vote is required to dissolve the partnership
- How assets will be distributed when the partnership dissolves
- The length of time a partner is prohibited from competing against the partnership after withdrawal
Meeting rules
- When regular meetings will be held
- Who can request a special meeting
Decision-making rules
- Voting requirements to make business decisions
- The decisions that require the unanimous consent of all partners
- Whether financial decisions require a unanimous or majority vote
- Whether the value of partners’ votes is equal, proportionate to capital contributions, or proportionate to profit share
- Whether individual partners can enter binding contracts on behalf of the partnership, or whether a partnership vote is required
Profit and loss distribution
- Whether profits and losses will be distributed to partners equally, at a fixed percentage, or proportionally to capital contributions
Other provisions
- New partner rules, including whether new partners can join and, if so, the voting requirement for admittance
- Day-to-day management responsibilities
- Partner compensation
- The partnership’s fiscal year-end date
- The partnership’s preferred dispute resolution method
What’s the difference between a partnership and a joint venture?
Joint ventures and partnerships both involve collaboration between two or more parties. However, distinguishing between the two is not precise.
A partnership may be characterised as a long-term business with a range of activities and interests. The relationship between the partners is close and based on trust. There is a pooling of resources such that a partnership has a beneficial interest in any assets contributed to the partnership by individual partners.
A joint venture may be characterised as a short-term, goal-oriented project, between stakeholders who are not necessarily conducting “business in common.” The members of the venture enter into a Joint Venture Agreement may contribute resources, expertise, assets or personnel while maintaining separate assets and business interests outside of the joint venture.
Amending a Partnership Agreement
To amend a Partnership Agreement, partners may use a Partnership Amendment. However, to do so, all partners must agree to and sign the amendment.
Partners may need to amend their Partnership Agreement for various reasons, including:
- Admitting new partners or removing existing partners
- Changing the ownership percentages
- Modifying capital contributions, whether in terms of the amount or type of assets
- Adjusting the allocation of profits and losses among partners
- Changing the profit-sharing percentages or introducing a new profit distribution method
- Redefining decision-making authority within the partnership
- Extending or shortening the partnership's duration
- Modifying the conditions under which the partnership can be dissolved
Withdrawing from a Partnership Agreement
When a partner wants to leave a partnership, that partner gives a Notice of Withdrawal from Partnership to the other partners. An example would be when a partner wishes to retire. With the agreement of the remaining partners, a withdrawing partner can assign their partnership interest to another party in order to retire.
On the other hand, if the other partners need to remove a particular partner from the partnership for any reason, they can do so without that partner's consent as long as that is allowed in the Partnership Agreement.
Breaching a Partnership Agreement
Breaching a Partnership Agreement refers to one or more partners violating or failing to comply with the agreement’s terms. Contract breaches can lead to strained relationships, loss of trust among partners, and potential legal consequences.
A breach can occur in various ways, such as:
- Failing to fulfill financial obligations
- Disregarding agreed-upon roles and responsibilities
- Acting against the best interests of the partnership
Resolving a breach typically involves communication, negotiation, and potentially seeking legal remedies to enforce the agreement terms or seek damages for any harm caused. A Partnership Agreement may specify how the business will resolve disputes (e.g., mediation, arbitration, etc.).
If a breach cannot be resolved, the partners may seek to expel the partner in breach. If there are only two partners, there may be no other option but to dissolve the partnership.
Dissolving a Partnership Agreement
Dissolving a Partnership Agreement means formally terminating the partnership and bringing its operations to an end.
It involves ending the legal relationship and responsibilities between the partners, ceasing business activities, and settling any remaining obligations or assets of the partnership.
To dissolve a Partnership Agreement, follow these steps:
- Review the Partnership Agreement to understand the specific dissolution procedures.
- Consult with all partners to discuss dissolution.
- Ensure compliance with any legal requirements.
- Notify stakeholders about the partnership's impending dissolution (e.g., suppliers, relevant government agencies, etc.).
- Assess the partnership’s assets, liabilities, and obligations.
- Determine the process for liquidating partnership assets and settling outstanding debts.
- Prepare a Termination Agreement and ensure all parties sign it.
- Terminate business operations (e.g., close bank accounts, finishing administrative tasks, etc.).
If a Partnership Agreement states that the business partnership ends on a specific date, it will automatically dissolve on that date.