Dissolution of a partnership firm

Different modes for the Dissolution of Partnership Firm

Dissolution of partnership means to stop or end the business of the partnership firm by all partners of the partnership firm. The dissolution of a partnership and the dissolution of a partnership firm are two different situations. When a partner retires or leaves the partnership, the business of the partnership continues with other partners of the firm. But in the case of dissolution of a partnership firm, all the partners of the firm discontinue the business of the firm and settle their account by sharing profit and loss.

The process of dissolution of a partnership firm includes disposing of the assets of the firm and settlement of the accounts and liabilities of the partnership. Dissolution of the partnership firm is the end of the partnership deed which was binding all partners in the relationship of partnership. After the dissolution of the partnership firm, the partners are free from the relationship with another partner of the firm. The partners are no longer liable for the actions of other partners.

Dissolution of partnership firm

Section 39 of the Indian Partnership Act 1932 defines dissolution of the partnership firm. The section says “The dissolution of the partnership firm means to stop all the activities of the partnership firm.” It is the complete breakdown of the relationship between all the partners of the partnership firm.

Reasons for the dissolution of the partnership

As we discussed above, the dissolution of a partnership firm and the dissolution of a partnership are two different conditions. The dissolution of a partnership is a situation where only one or more partners leave the firm by giving notice. The other partners remain to continue to run the firm’s business. Only the partners who are leaving the firm have to clear their rights and liabilities towards the firm before going to leave. There are the following reasons on which a partner can leave the firm;

  1. Changes in the profit and sharing ratio which was decided at the time of the formation of the firm.
  2. Adding new partners in the partnership firm.
  3. Death of the existing partner of the firm.
  4. Retirement of the partner.
  5. The partner has lost his capacity to contract– insolvent, unsound mind etc.
  6. On the expiry of the period of the partnership deed.
  7. On completion of the objective for which he was added.

These are the main reasons that the dissolution of a partnership is done. There can be other reasons for the dissolution of a partnership according to the rules made by the firm at the time of its formation.

Types of dissolution of partnership firm

The dissolution is the end of the partnership firm and it can be done in the following two ways:

  • Dissolution of the firm without the intervention of the court
  • Dissolution of the firm by court

These are the two ways by which the dissolution of the partnership firm can be done. Let us discuss each type of dissolution of the firm in detail.

Dissolution of partnership firm without court

There are many reasons why the partners can take action to do the dissolution of the firm. In these ways, the partners do not need the intervention of the court. They can do this mutually. The main following are conditions for the dissolution of a partnership firm without court:

Dissolution by agreement

Section 40 of the Indian Partnership Act 1932 deals with the dissolution of a partnership firm by agreement. The dissolution of the firm can be done if all the partners of the partnership firm are mutually agreed to the dissolution of the firm. It can be done by forming a written contract (partnership deed) between all the partners by obtaining their free consent for the dissolution of the firm. The partners can add dates and necessary conditions for the dissolution of the firm while the formation of a contract between partners.

Dissolution by agreement is the easiest way to dissolute the firm. The partners can dissolve any type of partnership whether it is the partnership at will or for a fixed duration with the help of a contract between partners.

Compulsory Dissolution

Section 41 of the Indian Partnership Act deals with compulsory dissolution. There are different conditions for compulsory dissolution.

  • Insolvency of partners in the firm

When all the partners of the firm or all partners except one partner are declared insolvent. Insolvency makes the person incompetent to contract.

  • The firm’s business becomes unlawful.

If a partnership firm engages in a business that becomes unlawful due to some event. Let us take the example of war. As per the law, it is unlawful to do trade or business with any country that is in war with India. It means if you have been doing business with a country for three years and now that country has come to war with India, your business will become unlawful and it will be the reason for the dissolution of the partnership firm.

Dissolution depends upon certain events.

While making the partnership firm, the partners may make a contract on which they mention the certain event on which they will agree for the dissolution of the firm. Section 42 of the Indian Partnership Act. These events can be:

  • Expiry of the term: the partnership firm will be dissolved after the expiry of the fixed term mentioned in the partnership deed.
  • Completion of the object of the firm: The firm will be dissolved after the completion of the object of the partnership firm for which it was made by the partners.
  • Death of the partner: If there are only two partners in the partnership firm and one dies before the expiry of the term, the firm will be dissolved automatically. Also, if there are more than two partners in the firm, they may add the clause in the partnership deed that at the death of any partner, the partnership firm will dissolve. But, if they have not mentioned any such close, then even after the death of one partner, the other partners of the firm can continue the business.
  • Insolvency of the partner: If one or two partners become insolvent, the other partners can agree to the dissolution of the firm. The partners can also add such terms and conditions in the partnership deed. Insolvency removes the capacity of the person to make the contract. The capacity to contract is the main essential to remain in the partnership firm.
  • Resignation of the partner: Resignation by any partner of the partnership firm can also be the reason for the dissolution.

Dissolution by notice of partnership at will

Section 43 of the Indian Partnership Act defines that the dissolution of a partnership firm at will can be done with the help of a written notice by one partner of the firm. Any of the partners can serve this written notice to other partners that he is willing to dissolve the partnership firm.

Dissolution of partnership firm by Court

Section 44 of the Indian Partnership Act 1932 deals with the dissolution of the firm by the court. The court may order the dissolution of the firm on the following grounds:

The partner becomes unsound mind

The court can give the order for the dissolution of a partnership firm if, any of the partners of the partnership firm gives the application in the court that a partner has become unsound mind. Although, it is not necessary for the sleeping partner, in some special circumstances, the lunacy or unsound mind is the ground for the dissolution of the firm.

Incapacity of the partner

If any of the partners becomes incapable of being a partner in the partnership, the court may order the dissolution by taking the application from other partners.

For example, if a partner of the firm is punished for 5 years in case of abatement, the court may pass the order to dissolve the partnership.

Due to misconduct

The main cause of the dissolution of the partnership firm by the court is the misconduct of the partner. When the partner or partners do not accept the rules of the firm and do misbehave with other partners of the firm, the aggrieved party can use the partnership deed as documentary evidence to file litigation in the court for the dissolution of the partnership firm.   

The Partnership deed is a legal document that binds the partners to work according to the rules written in the deed. If any other partner does not accept this rule, the other partner has the right to move the application in court to dissolute the firm.

Constant breach of partnership deed

The partnership deed includes some terms and conditions for the firm. But, if any of the partners is constantly breaching the rules of the deed, The other partner can ask the court for the dissolution of the firm.

Transfer of Interest to third party

The partner of the firm cannot transfer his full rights and liabilities to any other third party. If a partner does so, the other partner has the right to give the application in court for the dissolution of the firm.

Firm taking continued losses.

If a firm suffers from continued losses and there is no more capital left for the growth of the partnership firm, in that condition, the court may pass the orders for the dissolution of the partnership firm.

Any other equitable ground

The court has the right to order the dissolution of the firm if the court finds any other reason which is just and equitable for the dissolution of the firm.  The total loss of confidence between the partners was considered the fair reason for dissolution in the case of Havidatt Singh v. Mukhe Singh.

Winding up of business after the dissolution

The winding up of the firm is almost the same as the winding up of a company. Section 46 of the Indian Partnership Act deals with the rights of the partner to have the business wound up after dissolution. The property of the firm will be sold to pay the debts of the firm and the rest amount will be shared between partners as per the percentage written in the partnership deed.

Modes of settlement of accounts

There are many consequences of the dissolution of the partnership firm. Normally, the partners of the partnership firm made the rule for the settlement of accounts after the dissolution of the partnership firm. But, in case, there is no agreement between the partners for the settlement of accounts, the given provisions of the Indian Partnership Act 1932 shall apply:

All the losses including the deficiency of the capital of the firm are paid by:

Firstly– From the profits of the firm,

Secondly– from the partner’s capital

Thirdly– Partners individually in the same ratio which was used for profit sharing.

After selling the assets of the firm, this money will be used:

Firstly– To pay the debt taken by the third party

Secondly– paying any loans or advance money by any partner

Thirdly– to pay back the capital given by every partner

After paying these three, the remaining money will be distributed to all partners according to the profit-sharing ratio.

Difference between the dissolution of a partnership and the dissolution of a partnership firm

S. NoDissolution of PartnershipDissolution of Partnership Firm
1The business of the partnership firm remains to continue.It is the end of the business of the firm.
2Only the account of one partner (who is leaving the partnership) is settled.All the partner’s accounts settled after the dissolution of the partnership firm by fulfilling the liabilities against the firm.
3It can be done by mutual consent of all the partners. There is no need for the intervention of the court.There may or may not be the intervention of the court for the dissolution of the firm.
4Only one partner will be free from his relationship with the firm.All the partners will be free from their relationship. There will be no more liability remaining for the act done by another partner.
5The partnership deed will remain in force for other partners of the firm.The partnership deed will come to an end and it will lose its binding force.

Conclusion

The Indian Partnership Act 1932 provides the rules for the dissolution of a partnership firm. The dissolution of the firm is the end of the business of the firm. It releases the partners from their relations with other partners. The process of dissolution can be done with the help of the court or without the help of the court. The act helps the partners for the settlement of the accounts by providing rules to settle the account.

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