Partnership Deed - Format, Meaning, Contents, Registration, Importance

A partnership firm is one of the popular types of organisations for starting a new business in India. A minimum of 2 partners are required to start a partnership firm. Partners establish a partnership firm through a partnership deed. A partnership deed is an agreement between the partners of a firm that outlines the terms and conditions of partnership among the partners. 

What is a Partnership Deed?

The smooth and successful running of a partnership firm requires a clear understanding among its partners regarding the various policies governing their partnership. The partnership deed serves this purpose. The partnership deed contains various terms such as profit/loss sharing, salary, interest on capital, drawings, admission of a new partner, etc. in order to bring clarity to the partners.

A deed of partnership also known as a partnership agreement is a legal document signed by two or more partners who come together and decide to run a business for profit. The partnership deed helps to resolve any disagreement or conflict which arises between the partners regarding the partnership norms. The purpose of a partnership deed is to give a clear understanding of the roles of all partners, ensuring the smooth running of the operations of the partnership firm.

Partnership Deed Format 

Importance of a Partnership Deed

A partnership deed defines the position of the partners of the firm. Below is the importance of a partnership deed:

• It helps partners to define the terms of their relationship.
• It regulates the nature of business and liabilities, rights and duties of all partners.
• It helps to avoid misunderstandings between the partners since all of the terms and conditions of the partnership are specified in the deed. 
• In the case of a dispute amongst the partners, it will be settled as per the terms of the partnership deed.
• There will be no confusion between the partners regarding the profit and loss sharing ratio amongst them.  
• It mentions the role of each individual partner.
• It contains the remuneration that is to be paid to partners, thereby avoiding any dispute or confusion. 
• It ensure smooth functioning of the firm as the terms and liabilities between partners are in a written form.

Types of Partnership Deeds 

• General Partnership Deed: The general partnership deed contains the terms and conditions of a general partnership, where each partner shares equal responsibility for the management of the firm business and are jointly liable for debts or obligations.
• Limited Partnership Deed: The limited partnership deed establishes a limited partnership, which includes general and limited partners. The general partners have unlimited liability for the debts of the partnership firm, while the limited partners have limited liability and do not participate actively in the management of the business.

Contents of a Partnership Deed

The partnership deed contains the following details:

• Name of the firm

The partners of the firm should decide the firm’s name which adheres to the provisions of the Partnership Act. The firm name is the name under which the business is conducted.

• Details of the partners 

The deed should include details of all the partners, such as their names, addresses, contact number, designation, and other particulars.

• Business of the firm 

The deed should mention the business that the firm undertakes. It may be dealing with producing goods or rendering services.

• Duration of firm 

The deed should mention the duration of the partnership firm, i.e. if the firm is constituted for a limited period, for a specific project or for an unlimited period.

• Place of business 

The deed should contain the principal place of business where it carries on the partnership business. It should also mention the names of any other places where it conducts business. 

• Capital contribution

Each partner will contribute an amount of capital to the firm. The entire capital of the firm and the share contributed by each partner are to be mentioned in the deed.

• Sharing of profit/loss 

The ratio of sharing profits and losses of the firm amongst partners should be noted in the deed. It can be shared equally amongst all partners, or according to the capital contribution ratio or any other agreed ratio. 

• Salary and commission

The details of the salary and commission payable to partners should be mentioned in the deed. The salary and commission can be paid to the partners based on their role, capabilities or any other capacity.

• Partner’s drawings

The drawings from the firm allowed to each partner and interest to be paid to the firm on such drawings, if any should be mentioned in the deed.

• Partner’s loan 

The deed should mention whether the business can borrow loans, the interest rate of loans, properties to be pledged, etc. It can also mention if a partner of the firm can borrow loans from the business or not.

• Duties and obligations of partners 

The rights, duties and obligations of all the partners of the firm should be mentioned in the deed to avoid future disputes. 

• Admission, death and retirement of partners

The deed should mention the date of admission of the partner, the regulations governing the admission of a new partner, resignation, or changes after the death of a partner of the firm.

• Accounts and audit 

The deed should contain details about the audit procedure of the firm. It should mention the details of how the partnership accounts are to be prepared and maintained. 

Note: The above contents/clauses are general clauses and there may be some other clauses that can be added to the partnership deed.

How to Draft a Partnership Deed?

The partnership deed can be oral or written. However, it is better when the partnership deed is written since it helps to avoid any future conflict and is also useful for tax purposes and registration of the partnership firm. The partnership deed can be drafted by all the partners after coming to a mutual agreement regarding the clauses of the deed. It can also be drafted by a legal professional. 

Below are the points to be kept in mind while drafting the partnership deed:

• The deed should contain the clauses as mentioned above.
• It must be executed by at least two or more partners.
• It should be drafted by mutual agreement between the partners.
• Ambiguous clauses and sentences must be avoided. The clauses must clearly state the details/description.
• It should be printed on an e-stamp paper of a value of Rs.200 or more.
• It should be signed by all the partners on all pages of the deed.

Partnership Deed Registration

The partnership deed is registered under the Indian Registration Act, 1908. It must be printed on non-judicial stamp paper with a value of Rs.200 or more based on the capital of the partnership firm. It has to be signed by all the partners and each partner should have a copy of the partnership deed.

After the deed is signed by the partners, it must be registered with the Sub-Registrar/ Registrar Office of the jurisdiction where the partnership firm is located. The stamp duty for registering the partnership deed varies from state to state. The respective states’ Stamp Act prescribes the stamp duty to be paid to the Sub-Registrar at the time of registration. The notarization of the partnership deed is required along with its registration. The registration of the partnership deed makes it legally valid.

Documents Required for Partnership Deed Registration 

The documents required for registration of a partnership deed are as follows:

• PAN card of all the partners.
• Address proof of all the partners, such as voter ID, Aadhar card, driving licence, etc.
• Address proof of the firm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an oral partnership deed valid?

Yes, an oral partnership deed is valid. Although the oral partnership deed is valid, practically it is better when the partnership deed is written. A written partnership deed helps to avoid any future conflict. Additionally, a written partnership deed is required for tax purposes and registration of the partnership firm. Thus, the partnership agreement should be written rather than oral.

Is a partnership deed required for partnership firm registration?

Yes. A true copy of the deed of a partnership must be filed with the Registrar of Firms to get the partnership firm registered. It is an essential document that is to be submitted to the Registrar of Firms. 

What is the stamp duty on partnership deed?

The respective states’ Stamp Act prescribes the stamp duty to be paid to the Sub-Registrar at the time of registration of partnership deeds. Even though the stamp duty charges differ from state to state, the partnership deed has to be notarised on a non-judicial stamp paper with a minimum value of Rs.200 or more. 

Should the partnership deed be registered?

It is not mandatory to register a partnership deed, but the partners must register the deed to make it legally enforceable. The partners should register it with the Sub-Registrar/ Registrar Office of the jurisdiction where the firm is located by paying a nominal court fee and stamp duty. Each partner has to also submit an affidavit on a stamp paper of Rs.10, stating their intention to enter into a partnership.  

Does a partnership deed need to be notarised?

Yes, notarisation of the partnership deed is required along with its registration. Notarisation of the partnership deed makes the agreement between partners legal which can be defended in the court of law if any conflicts arise between them. All partners should notarise the partnership deed by signing the deed in front of the public notary.

Can a partnership deed be changed or modified?

Yes. The partnership deed can be modified, altered or changed at any time by mutual consent of the partners. The modified deed should be signed by all the partners. The modified partnership deed should be registered with the Sub-Registrar’s office where the original deed was registered. It must also be submitted to the Registrar of Firms for their record. 

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