
Setting up a limited partnership in England and Wales involves registering with Companies House, which can be done online or by post. The online process is quicker and more convenient.
To register, you'll need to provide details about the partnership, including its name, registered office address, and the names and addresses of the general partners. The partnership's name must also be unique and not too similar to an existing company name.
A limited partnership must have at least one general partner who is personally liable for the partnership's debts and obligations. The general partner's details must be disclosed when registering the partnership.
The partnership's registered office address is the official address where Companies House will send any documents or notices. It's essential to choose an address that is easily accessible and has a reliable postal service.
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Registration Process
To register a limited partnership in England and Wales, you must deliver a statement (Form LP5) to the Registrar of Companies. This statement must be signed by all partners.
The form must include the firm's name, the general nature of the business, the address of the principal place of business, and the full name of each partner, listing general and limited partners separately. The term for which the partnership is entered into, the date of its commencement, and a statement that the partnership is limited and the description of every partner as such must also be included.
You must also list the sum contributed by each limited partner, and whether it is paid in cash or otherwise. The Registrar will issue a certificate of registration, subject to the acceptability of the name.
The Registrar will advise against the use of any name which is the 'same as' the name of a limited company, other legal body, or another limited partnership already on the register. In addition, the names of limited partnerships are controlled by the Business Names Act 1985.
To register, you can download and fill in the application to register a limited partnership, or send a statement (Form LP5) to the Registrar of Companies by post with a fee of £71. Companies House will usually register your limited partnership within 5 days of getting your application.
Here is a summary of the required information:
- the firm's name;
- the general nature of the business;
- the address of the principal place of business;
- the full name of each partner, listing general and limited partners separately;
- the term (if any) for which the partnership is entered into;
- the date of its commencement;
- a statement that the partnership is limited and the description of every partner as such;
- the sum contributed by each limited partner, and whether it is paid in cash or otherwise.
Note that the general partners are responsible for delivering the forms, even if the preparation of the documents was delegated to accountants or others.
Partner Limit
In England and Wales, a limited partnership can't normally have more than 20 partners. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
A partnership carrying on practice as solicitors can have more than 20 partners, as long as each partner is a solicitor. This is one of the exceptions to the general rule.
A partnership carrying on practice as accountants can also have more than 20 partners, but only if the partnership is eligible for appointment as a company auditor. This is another exception to the general rule.
A partnership carrying on business as members of a recognised stock exchange can have more than 20 partners, as long as each partner is a member of that exchange. This is a third exception to the general rule.
A partnership carrying on business as surveyors, auctioneers, valuers, estate agents, land agents, or estate managers can have more than 20 partners, but only if at least three-quarters of the partners are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and no more than one-quarter are limited partners.
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A partnership carrying on business as insurance brokers can have more than 20 partners, as long as each partner is a registered insurance broker or an enrolled body corporate.
Here are the exceptions to the general rule of 20 partners:
- A partnership carrying on practice as solicitors
- A partnership carrying on practice as accountants
- A partnership carrying on business as members of a recognised stock exchange
- A partnership carrying on business as surveyors, auctioneers, valuers, estate agents, land agents, or estate managers
- A partnership carrying on business as insurance brokers
- A partnership which is a collective investment scheme
Partners' Responsibilities
You must have at least one general partner and one limited partner in a limited partnership. A partner can be an individual or a company.
The type of partner you are affects your liability for the partnership's debts and your responsibilities. You cannot be a general and a limited partner at the same time.
All partners are equally responsible for any debts or obligations until the partnership has been registered.
Here's a summary of the key differences between general and limited partners:
General Partners
As a general partner, you have significant responsibilities and liabilities. You are liable for any debts the business cannot pay.
You have control and manage the business, making irreversible decisions for the business. This means you have a lot of power, but also a lot of responsibility.
You can apply for your business to act as an authorised contractual scheme (ACS), which allows you to pool assets and manage them on behalf of the partners. This can be beneficial for tax purposes, as partners only pay tax on their share of profits.
If you're a general partner and your business is a limited company, you may need to send accounts to Companies House.
Here's a quick summary of the key responsibilities of a general partner:
- Liable for any debts the business cannot pay
- Control and manage the business
- Make irreversible decisions for the business
- Can apply for ACS
Nominate Officers and Contacts
If you're a general partner in a partnership, you'll need to nominate a registered officer and named contacts. This is a new requirement that's been put in place.
A registered officer is a named individual with whom Companies House can make contact. This person must be a director if the general partner is a company, or an individual member of the LLP.
The registered officer must not be disqualified from acting under director disqualification legislation. This means that you'll need to choose someone who is eligible to hold this role.
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You'll also need to confirm whether your general partner has any corporate managing officers. If it does, you'll need to provide a named individual contact for each officer. This could be a director if the officer is a company, or an individual member if the officer is a LLP.
Here are the key things you need to do:
- Nominate a registered officer
- Provide a named individual contact for each corporate managing officer
- Ensure the registered officer is not disqualified from acting under director disqualification legislation
Registration Requirements
To register a limited partnership in England and Wales, you'll need to submit a statement to the Registrar of Companies. This statement, known as Form LP5, must be signed by all partners.
The form requires certain information, including the firm's name, the general nature of the business, and the address of the principal place of business. You'll also need to list the full name of each partner, separating general and limited partners.
The term for which the partnership is entered into, as well as the date of its commencement, must also be included. Additionally, you'll need to state that the partnership is limited and describe every partner as such.
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The sum contributed by each limited partner, and whether it's paid in cash or otherwise, must also be disclosed. The general partners are responsible for delivering the forms, whether or not they've delegated the preparation to accountants or others.
A certificate of registration will be issued by the Registrar if all particulars are in order, subject to the acceptability of the name. However, the Registrar will advise against using a name that's the same as a limited company, other legal body, or another limited partnership already on the register.
Required Information for Form LP5:
- Firm's name
- General nature of the business
- Address of the principal place of business
- Full name of each partner (separated by type)
- Term for which the partnership is entered into
- Date of commencement
- Statement that the partnership is limited
- Sum contributed by each limited partner (including payment method)
Note that the names of limited partnerships are controlled by the Business Names Act 1985.
Partner Information
Partner Information is a crucial aspect of limited partnerships in England and Wales. You'll need to provide information about the LP's partners when registering the limited partnership.
If you're an authorised partnership, you'll need to report changes to limited partners. This includes any new partners joining the partnership or existing partners leaving.
A statement of the required information about each partner will need to be provided to the Registrar. This includes details such as name, date of birth, and nationality for individual partners.
For individual partners, you'll also need to provide their usual residential address and any relevant former names. If the partner is usually resident in a country outside the UK, you'll need to specify that country or state.
If the partner is a legal entity, you'll need to provide their name, principal office, and service address. You'll also need to specify the legal form of the entity and the law by which it is governed.
Here's a breakdown of the required information for individual and legal entity partners:
You'll need to provide this information to the Registrar, which will help them keep a record of the limited partnership's partners.
Limited Partnership
A limited partnership in England and Wales can have up to 20 partners, but there are some exceptions to this rule. These exceptions include partnerships carrying on practice as solicitors, accountants, or surveyors, among others.
Limited partnerships must contain at least one general partner and one limited partner. The limited partner's liability is limited to the amount they have invested in the partnership, and they will not be liable for any debts incurred by the general partner beyond that amount.
To register a limited partnership, you'll need to download and fill in the application form, which must be signed by all partners. You'll also need to pay a fee of £71, which can be paid by cheque or postal order.
Here's a breakdown of the required information about each partner:
- For individuals: name, date of birth, nationality, usual residential address, and service address (if applicable)
- For legal entities: name, principal office, service address, legal form, and registration information (if applicable)
Limited Partners
A limited partner is a crucial part of a limited partnership, contributing an amount of money or property to the business when it's set up.
You'll have limited liability, meaning you're only liable for debts up to the amount you've contributed.
As a limited partner, you cannot manage the business, which means you won't be involved in the day-to-day operations.
You also cannot remove your original contribution, so be sure to think carefully before investing.
Here's a summary of your role as a limited partner:
- Contribute an amount of money or property to the business when it's set up
- Only liable for debts up to the amount you've contributed
- Cannot manage the business
- Cannot remove your original contribution
Benefits of LPs
Limited liability is a key benefit of limited partnerships. You won't be held responsible for the general partner's mistakes beyond your initial investment.
If you're not comfortable with the idea of losing more money than you invested, a limited partnership is a safer option. This is especially true if you're not experienced in managing investments.
In a limited partnership, the general partner is responsible for making decisions, but you'll only be liable for the amount you invested. This means you can enjoy the potential profits without taking on excessive risk.
Limited partnerships require at least one general partner and one limited partner. The partnership agreement will outline the roles and responsibilities of each partner.
Limited partners are not liable for the general partner's debts beyond their initial investment. This protection is in place as long as the limited partner doesn't actively manage the partnership.
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Tax and Legislation
A limited partnership in England and Wales is not an incorporated entity, which means the law treats profits as owed to the partners themselves.
This avoids double taxation, where profits would be taxed twice: once when leaving the partnership and again as dividends if the profits go to a company.
The Limited Partnerships Act 1907 is still in effect, with no known changes or updates to the legislation.
Tax Implications
A limited partnership is not an incorporated entity, so the law treats any profits you make from the partnership as being owed to the partners themselves.
This avoids double taxation, where profits would be taxed twice: once at the point of leaving the partnership and again if the profits then go on to a company to be dispersed as dividends.
As a result, you won't have to worry about paying taxes on your share of the profits twice.
Changes To Legislation
The Limited Partnerships Act 1907 is a piece of legislation that has had a significant impact on the business world.
There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Limited Partnerships Act 1907. This suggests that the Act has been amended or repealed, but the exact details are unclear.
Impact on Existing LPs

Existing Limited Partnerships (LPs) will have to adapt to the new legislation, which will bring significant changes to their operations.
The General Partners (GPs) of existing LPs will have a six-month transitional period to provide the required information about their partners, registered office, and other details.
During this time, GPs and fund managers must review their existing structures and plan for compliance with the new legislation.
The Registrar will have new powers to confirm the dissolution of unresponsive LPs, making it essential for GPs to stay on top of their responsibilities.
GPs and fund managers must take proactive steps to ensure they are prepared for the changes, or risk facing dissolution of their LPs.
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Post-Registration
Once your limited partnership is registered, there are several things you'll need to do to keep everything up to date.
The general partners are responsible for notifying the Registrar of any changes to the information held, such as a person ceasing to be a limited or general partner, within 14 days.
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You'll also need to provide an annual confirmation statement to Companies House within 14 days of each review period, to confirm that all the information on the register is correct, and deliver any necessary updates.
If there are any changes to the required information about any partner, or any changes in the identity of, or the required information about, a registered officer or named contact, you'll need to notify the Registrar within 14 days.
HMRC will also have the power to obtain a LP's accounts on written notice, but there is no new requirement for LPs to file accounts at Companies House for public viewing.
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Authorisation and Providers
To become an authorised partnership, general partners can apply for a limited partnership to act as an authorised contractual scheme (ACS). This allows partners to co-own assets without paying Corporation Tax on their share of profits.
An ACS pools money or property and manages it on behalf of the partners. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has guidance on getting a limited partnership authorised.
To make filings to Companies House, you'll need to appoint an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP). ACSPs can be intermediaries like accountants, lawyers, or company formation agents who are registered for anti-money laundering purposes.
ACSPs will handle most filings, including applications for registration, changes to officers and partners, and confirmation statements. They must have registered with Companies House and completed necessary identity verification checks on their clients.
Here are some examples of filings that need to be made by an ACSP:
- Applications for registration
- Changes of registered office/email address
- Changes to officers of GPs
- Changes relating to partners
- Other changes in the partnership
- Confirmation statements
LPs will need to consider whether their existing providers are willing to act as an ACSP and able to do so because they are based in the UK.
Authorized Partnership
An authorised partnership is a type of limited partnership that has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This approval allows the partnership to act as an authorised contractual scheme (ACS), where assets are pooled and managed on behalf of the partners, and they only pay tax on their share of any profits.

To become an authorised partnership, general partners must apply to the FCA for approval. The FCA has guidance on the process, which can be found on their website.
If you're an authorised partnership, there are certain changes that require notification to the FCA, including changes to limited partners and changes in sums contributed by limited partners.
A limited partnership may not normally consist of more than 20 persons, but there are some exceptions to this rule. These exceptions include partnerships carrying on practice as solicitors, accountants, or members of a recognised stock exchange, among others.
Here are the specific exceptions to the 20-person limit:
Become an Authorised Partner
To become an authorised partner, you'll need to apply for a limited partnership to act as an authorised contractual scheme (ACS). This allows you to pool money or property with other partners and manage it on their behalf.
You can only pay tax on your share of any profits, and the scheme doesn't pay Corporation Tax. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has guidance on getting a limited partnership authorised.
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To register with the FCA, you'll need to meet certain requirements, but the details are available from the FCA directly.
You can also appoint an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) to help with the process. This can be an accountant, lawyer, or company formation agent who is registered with a supervisory body for anti-money laundering purposes.
Here are some key services that an ACSP can provide:
- Applications for registration;
- Changes of registered office/email address;
- Changes to officers of GPs;
- Changes relating to partners;
- Other changes in the partnership; and
- Confirmation statements.
To use an ACSP, you'll need to ensure they have the relevant authority to deliver documents and have completed the necessary identity verification checks on their clients.
Business Names and Address
Business names must be chosen carefully, as they have specific requirements. They cannot include 'limited liability partnership', 'LLP', 'public limited company', or 'plc', be offensive, or be the same as an existing trade mark.
You'll also need to ensure your business name doesn't contain a 'sensitive' word or expression, or suggest a connection with government or local authorities, unless you've obtained permission.
Here are some key things to keep in mind when choosing a business name:
- Business names must not include certain words or expressions
- Business names must not be offensive
- Business names must not be the same as an existing trade mark
- Business names must not contain 'sensitive' words or expressions, or suggest a connection with government or local authorities, unless permission is obtained
Your registered address, also known as your principal place of business, is where official communications are sent. This must be a physical address, your main place of business, and in the same country as your limited partnership registration.
Registered Address
A registered address, also known as a principal place of business, is where official communications are sent, such as letters from HMRC.
This address must be a physical location, your main place of business, and in the same country where your limited partnership is registered. For example, a limited partnership registered in Scotland must have a registered office address in Scotland.
You can use your home address as your registered address, but keep in mind that it will be publicly available.
Here are the key requirements for a registered address:
- a physical address
- your main place of business
- in the same country that your limited partnership is registered in
Business Names
When choosing a business name, it's essential to keep in mind what's not allowed. Limited partnership names, for instance, must not include certain words or phrases.
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A limited partnership name cannot include 'limited liability partnership', 'LLP', 'public limited company', or 'plc'. These terms are specific to certain business structures and can cause confusion.
Your business name also can't be the same as an existing trade mark. This is to avoid any potential trademark infringement issues.
Limited partnership names must not be offensive, so it's crucial to choose a name that's respectful and professional.
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Key Information
A limited partnership in England and Wales requires at least one general partner responsible for managing the business, who bears unlimited liability for any losses.
To become a partner in an LP, you'll need to provide certain information to the Registrar, which includes your name, date of birth, and nationality, as well as your usual residential address.
Limited partnerships are often used by investment funds to structure their investment activities, and they're a common way to share profits while limiting personal liability.
The required information for partners includes their name, date of birth, and nationality, as well as their usual residential address, and in the case of a general partner, a service address.
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A general partner is responsible for managing the business and bears unlimited liability for any losses, while a limited partner contributes money to the business in exchange for a share of the profits, but is not liable for its debts beyond their initial investment.
Here's a summary of the required information for each partner:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a company be incorporated in England and Wales?
Yes, a company can be incorporated in England and Wales, as they share a combined legal system within the UK. This makes England and Wales a popular jurisdiction for company registration.
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