header-logo header-logo

Playing by the rules

04 February 2010 / Simon Young
Issue: 7403 / Categories: Features , Profession
printer mail-detail

Simon Young underlines the importance of updating partnership agreements

It is often said, in the context of partnership disputes, that the partnership agreement is unlikely to be of help since, by definition, by the time you get the agreement out of the safe to investigate what it says about an issue, the problem has already gone beyond the possibility of reconciliation. One valid answer to that, however, would seem to be the message is not that there should be no agreement; but that its contents should be sufficiently clear, and known to the partners generally, that it is actively in play at all times.

How, then, may a properly drafted agreement help the position?

The first point is that any body of people with close and complex relationships, which are of a high degree of significance for their lives, will all benefit if each knows what the agreed rules for the operation of their relationships are. Just as sometimes in management terms any decision may be better than none, so here any rule

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll