Limited partnership profit distribution: basics and examples

The limited partnership is a very flexible legal form when it comes to financing, liability, and profit distribution, leaving a lot of room to manoeuvre for the partners. For example, in principle there are often regulations that define the distribution of profits and losses at the end of the financial year. General and limited partners can also make their own individual agreements in the articles of association, whereby they specifically state their share of any turnover surpluses and/or losses. What is the point of a specific agreement on profit distribution in a limited partnership? And which guidelines apply if no agreements have been made in the articles of association regarding profit distribution?

Limited partnerships in the UK are registered under and regulated by the Limited Partnership Act of 1907. With regards to profit distribution, Limited partnerships are encouraged to draw up their own agreements on profit distribution in a partnership agreement when the company is formed. If they fail to do so, and a dispute is brought before a judge, the judge will simply refer to the Liability Partnerships Act 2000 and that will dictate the outcome of the disagreement. In the absence of a partnership agreement, profits and losses will be allocated on the basis of each partner’s value, which is based on the value of each partner’s contribution.

This drives home how important it is to prepare a partnership agreement so that you are legally protected from your business partners in the event of legal/conflict situations. Always consult with a legal professional to ensure that any contracts you enter or disregard will not land you in legal trouble down the road.

If you want to circumvent state regulations concerning profit distribution, drawing up a partnership agreement is necessary. This kind of contract is particularly advantageous if there are major differences between the individual shareholders with regards to financial participation and involvement in the business process.

Liability also plays a crucial role here: a contractually agreed upon profit distribution method can also take the risks that partners hold into consideration. On the one hand, it comes down to financial participation, since the higher the limited partner’s capital contribution, the higher their liability sum is as a rule. On the other hand, the individually negotiated distribution of profits can grant the completely liable general partners a higher share of the profits.

Please note the legal disclaimer relating to this article.