DISSOLUTION OF A PARTNERSHIP FIRM

INTRODUCTION

Dissolution of a partnership firm merely involves a change in the relation of partners;

whereas the dissolution of firm amounts to a complete closure of the business. When any of
the partners dies, retires or become insolvent but if the remaining partners still agree to
continue the business of the partnership firm, then it is dissolution of partnership not the
dissolution of firm. Dissolution of partnership changes the mutual relations of the partners.
But in case of dissolution of firm, all the relations and the business of the firm comes to an
end. On dissolution of the firm, the business of the firm ceases to exist since its affairs are
would up by selling the assets and by paying the liabilities and discharging the claims of the
partners. The dissolution of partnership among all partners of a firm is called dissolution of
the firm.

MEANING

When the relation between all the partners of the firm comes to an end, this is called
dissolution of the firm. Section 39 of the Indian Partnership Act, provides that the
dissolution of the partnership between all the partners of a firm is called the dissolution of a
firm. It implies the complete break down of the relation of partnership between all the
partners.

MODES

Dissolution without the intervention of the Court.

Dissolution by Court.

DISSOLUTION WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF COURT:-

1. By Agreement (S.40)

A partnership firm can be dissolved any time with the consent of all the partners
whether the partnership is at will or for a fixed duration. A partnership can be dissolved in
accordance with the terms of the Partnership Deed or of the separate agreement.

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2. Compulsory Dissolution (Sec.41)

In case, any of the following events take place then it becomes compulsory for the
firm to dissolute

(i) Insolvency of Partners

In case all the partners or all the partners except one become insolvent.

(ii) Unlawful Business

In case the firm is engaged in more than one business which may have become
unlawful, the better view appears to be that the firm will not dissolve as to the other
legitimate businesses unless all of them are so inter connected that stoppage of one would
paralyze the others e.g. A and B charter a ship to go to foreign port and receive a cargo on the
joint venture. War breaks out between England and the country where the port is situated
before the ship arrives at the port, and continues until after the time appointed for loading.
The partnership between A and B is dissolved

3. Dissolution on the happening of contingent event (S.42) A firm may be dissolved on

the happening of any of the following contingent event

(i) Expiry of Fixed Period

A firm constituted for a term is of course not exempt from dissolution by any of the
other possible cause before the expiration of the term. The contract may expressly provide
that the partnership will determine in certain circumstances but even if there is no such
express term, an implied term as to when the partnership will determine may be gathered
from the contract and the nature of the business. The provision of this section make it clear
that unless some contract between the partners to the contrary is proved, the firm, if
constituted for a fixed term would be dissolved by the expiry of that term.

(ii) On achievement of specific task

A partnership constituted to carry out contracts with specified persons during a

particular season would be taken to be dissolved once the contracts are closed.

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 In the case of Basantlal Jalan v. Chiranjilal, Where the firm was constituted for a
specific undertaking to supply certain quantity of grain and the contract was prematurely
terminated after supply of a part of the goods, it was held that the partnership did not come to
an end and was dissolved only on the final realization of the assets

iii) Death of Partner

When the deed of partnership did not provide that the death of a partner would not
dissolve the partnership, the partnership stood dissolve on the death of a partner. Firm, stands
dissolved automatically on death of one partner. Continuance of business after such death
would not tantamount to continuance of earlier partnership.

iv) Insolvency of Partner

In the absence of a contract to the contrary, the insolvency of any of the partner may
dissolve the firm.the rule shall apply even though the partnership has been constituted for a
fixed term and the term has not yet expired or has been constituted for particular ventureand
the same has yet not been completed.

(v) Resignation of Partner

Resignation by any of the partners dissolves the partnership

4. Dissolution by notice (S.43)

In case of partnership at will, a partner can dissolve it by giving written notice of

dissolution to other partners duly signed by him. Notice must be very clear and certain. A
notice once given cannot be withdrawn without the consent of other partners was held in case
of Banarsidas v. Kanshi Ram.

In those cases where a partner has given notice of dissolution at a time when
dissolution will give him some advantage over the other partners, he may be held in the firm
till the pending transactions are completed.

DISSOLUTION BY COURT (S 44)

The court may order for the dissolution of the firm on the following grounds:-

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(i) Insanity of Partner

On the application of any of the partner, court may order for the dissolution of the
firm if a partner has become of an unsound mind. Lunacy of a partner does not itself dissolve
the partnership but it will be a ground for dissolution at the instance of other partners. It is not
necessary that the lunacy should be permanent. In the case of a dormant partner the court may
not order dissolution even on the ground of permanent insanity, except in special
circumstances.

(ii) Incapacity of Partner

If a partner has become permanent in capable of discharging his duties and obligations
then court may order for the dissolution of firm on the application of any of the partner.
where a partner is imprisoned for a long period of time the court may dissolve the partnership
was held in case ofWhitwell v. Arthur

(iii) Misconduct of Partner

If any partner other than partner suing is responsible for any loss to the firm, which
amounts to misconduct and prejudicially affects the carrying on of business then the court
may order for the dissolution of the firm.

(iv) Just and Equitable

The court may order for dissolution on any other ground which court think is just, fair
and equitable. e.g. loss of total confidence between the partners was held in case of Havidatt
singh v. Mukhe Singh

(v) Transfer of Interest

When any of the partner other than the suing partner transfers whole of its share to the
third party for permanently.

(vi) Continuous Losses

The court may order for dissolution if the firm is continuously suffering losses and
there is no more capital available for the future growth of the firm.

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(vii) Constant breach of agreement by partner

The court may order for the dissolution of the firm if the partner other than the suing
partner is found guilty for constant breach of agreement regarding the conduct of business or
the management of the affairs of the firm and it becomes impossible to continue the business
with such partner.

CONCLUSION

When a partnership is dissolved, and after the debts to the third parties have been paid
and advances made by a partner have been repaid, the assets are insufficient to repay each
partner his capital in full, any deficiencies must be borne by the partners in the same
proportion as the profits would have been divided. In after the above payments are made,
there is surplus, that surplus is to be divided in the proportion. Where there are joint debts due
from the firm, and also separate debts due from any partner, the property of the firm shall be
applied in the first instance in payment of the debts of the firm, and, if there is any surplus,
then the share of each partner shall be applied in payment of his separate debts or paid to him.
The separate property of any partner shall be applied first in the payment of his separate
debts, and the surplus (if any) in the payment of the debts of the firm.

REFERENCES

http://www.manupatrafast.com/articles/PopOpenArticle.aspx?ID=bc6219eb-2a06-
4528-b4eb-15ef6a3c60b0&txtsearch=Subject:%20contract
http://www.advocatekhoj.com/library/lawareas/partnership/dissolution.php?
Title=Partnership&STitle=Dissolution%20of%20a%20Firm
http://www.legalservicesindia.com/article/article/dissolution-of-partnership-firm-
1063-1.html
http://gradestack.com/CA-CPT/Reconstitution-and/Modes-of-dissolution-of-
a/22696-4560-56234-study-wtw