中华人民共和国合伙企业法（2006修订）

(中华人民共和国主席令第五十五号)

　　《中华人民共和国合伙企业法》已由中华人民共和国第十届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十三次会议于2006年8月27日修订通过，现将修订后的《中华人民共和国合伙企业法》公布，自2007年6月1日起施行。

　　中华人民共和国主席　胡锦涛
　　2006年8月27日


 中华人民共和国合伙企业法


 （１９９７年２月２３日第八届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十四次会议通过　２００６年８月２７日第十届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十三次会议修订）

　　第一章　总则

　　第一条　为了规范合伙企业的行为，保护合伙企业及其合伙人、债权人的合法权益，维护社会经济秩序，促进社会主义市场经济的发展，制定本法。

　　第二条　本法所称合伙企业，是指自然人、法人和其他组织依照本法在中国境内设立的普通合伙企业和有限合伙企业。

　　普通合伙企业由普通合伙人组成，合伙人对合伙企业债务承担无限连带责任。本法对普通合伙人承担责任的形式有特别规定的，从其规定。

　　有限合伙企业由普通合伙人和有限合伙人组成，普通合伙人对合伙企业债务承担无限连带责任，有限合伙人以其认缴的出资额为限对合伙企业债务承担责任。

　　第三条　国有独资公司、国有企业、上市公司以及公益性的事业单位、社会团体不得成为普通合伙人。

　　第四条　合伙协议依法由全体合伙人协商一致、以书面形式订立。

　　第五条　订立合伙协议、设立合伙企业，应当遵循自愿、平等、公平、诚实信用原则。

　　第六条　合伙企业的生产经营所得和其他所得，按照国家有关税收规定，由合伙人分别缴纳所得税。

　　第七条　合伙企业及其合伙人必须遵守法律、行政法规，遵守社会公德、商业道德，承担社会责任。

　　第八条　合伙企业及其合伙人的合法财产及其权益受法律保护。

　　第九条　申请设立合伙企业，应当向企业登记机关提交登记申请书、合伙协议书、合伙人身份证明等文件。

　　合伙企业的经营范围中有属于法律、行政法规规定在登记前须经批准的项目的，该项经营业务应当依法经过批准，并在登记时提交批准文件。

　　第十条　申请人提交的登记申请材料齐全、符合法定形式，企业登记机关能够当场登记的，应予当场登记，发给营业执照。

　　除前款规定情形外，企业登记机关应当自受理申请之日起二十日内，作出是否登记的决定。予以登记的，发给营业执照；不予登记的，应当给予书面答复，并说明理由。

　　第十一条　合伙企业的营业执照签发日期，为合伙企业成立日期。

　　合伙企业领取营业执照前，合伙人不得以合伙企业名义从事合伙业务。

　　第十二条　合伙企业设立分支机构，应当向分支机构所在地的企业登记机关申请登记，领取营业执照。

　　第十三条　合伙企业登记事项发生变更的，执行合伙事务的合伙人应当自作出变更决定或者发生变更事由之日起十五日内，向企业登记机关申请办理变更登记。

　　第二章　普通合伙企业

　　第一节　合伙企业设立

　　第十四条　设立合伙企业，应当具备下列条件：

　　（一）有二个以上合伙人。合伙人为自然人的，应当具有完全民事行为能力；

　　（二）有书面合伙协议；

　　（三）有合伙人认缴或者实际缴付的出资；

　　（四）有合伙企业的名称和生产经营场所；

　　（五）法律、行政法规规定的其他条件。

　　第十五条　合伙企业名称中应当标明“普通合伙”字样。

　　第十六条　合伙人可以用货币、实物、知识产权、土地使用权或者其他财产权利出资，也可以用劳务出资。

　　合伙人以实物、知识产权、土地使用权或者其他财产权利出资，需要评估作价的，可以由全体合伙人协商确定，也可以由全体合伙人委托法定评估机构评估。

　　合伙人以劳务出资的，其评估办法由全体合伙人协商确定，并在合伙协议中载明。

　　第十七条　合伙人应当按照合伙协议约定的出资方式、数额和缴付期限，履行出资义务。

　　以非货币财产出资的，依照法律、行政法规的规定，需要办理财产权转移手续的，应当依法办理。

　　第十八条　合伙协议应当载明下列事项：

　　（一）合伙企业的名称和主要经营场所的地点；

　　（二）合伙目的和合伙经营范围；

　　（三）合伙人的姓名或者名称、住所；

　　（四）合伙人的出资方式、数额和缴付期限；

　　（五）利润分配、亏损分担方式；

　　（六）合伙事务的执行；

　　（七）入伙与退伙；

　　（八）争议解决办法；

　　（九）合伙企业的解散与清算；

　　（十）违约责任。

　　第十九条　合伙协议经全体合伙人签名、盖章后生效。合伙人按照合伙协议享有权利，履行义务。

　　修改或者补充合伙协议，应当经全体合伙人一致同意；但是，合伙协议另有约定的除外。

　　合伙协议未约定或者约定不明确的事项，由合伙人协商决定；协商不成的，依照本法和其他有关法律、行政法规的规定处理。

　　第二节　合伙企业财产

　　第二十条　合伙人的出资、以合伙企业名义取得的收益和依法取得的其他财产，均为合伙企业的财产。

　　第二十一条　合伙人在合伙企业清算前，不得请求分割合伙企业的财产；但是，本法另有规定的除外。

　　合伙人在合伙企业清算前私自转移或者处分合伙企业财产的，合伙企业不得以此对抗善意第三人。

　　第二十二条　除合伙协议另有约定外，合伙人向合伙人以外的人转让其在合伙企业中的全部或者部分财产份额时，须经其他合伙人一致同意。

　　合伙人之间转让在合伙企业中的全部或者部分财产份额时，应当通知其他合伙人。

　　第二十三条　合伙人向合伙人以外的人转让其在合伙企业中的财产份额的，在同等条件下，其他合伙人有优先购买权；但是，合伙协议另有约定的除外。

　　第二十四条　合伙人以外的人依法受让合伙人在合伙企业中的财产份额的，经修改合伙协议即成为合伙企业的合伙人，依照本法和修改后的合伙协议享有权利，履行义务。

　　第二十五条　合伙人以其在合伙企业中的财产份额出质的，须经其他合伙人一致同意；未经其他合伙人一致同意，其行为无效，由此给善意第三人造成损失的，由行为人依法承担赔偿责任。

 　　第三节　合伙事务执行

 　　第二十六条　合伙人对执行合伙事务享有同等的权利。

　　按照合伙协议的约定或者经全体合伙人决定，可以委托一个或者数个合伙人对外代表合伙企业，执行合伙事务。

　　作为合伙人的法人、其他组织执行合伙事务的，由其委派的代表执行。

　　第二十七条　依照本法第二十六条第二款规定委托一个或者数个合伙人执行合伙事务的，其他合伙人不再执行合伙事务。

　　不执行合伙事务的合伙人有权监督执行事务合伙人执行合伙事务的情况。

　　第二十八条　由一个或者数个合伙人执行合伙事务的，执行事务合伙人应当定期向其他合伙人报告事务执行情况以及合伙企业的经营和财务状况，其执行合伙事务所产生的收益归合伙企业，所产生的费用和亏损由合伙企业承担。

　　合伙人为了解合伙企业的经营状况和财务状况，有权查阅合伙企业会计账簿等财务资料。

　　第二十九条　合伙人分别执行合伙事务的，执行事务合伙人可以对其他合伙人执行的事务提出异议。提出异议时，应当暂停该项事务的执行。如果发生争议，依照本法第三十条规定作出决定。

　　受委托执行合伙事务的合伙人不按照合伙协议或者全体合伙人的决定执行事务的，其他合伙人可以决定撤销该委托。

　　第三十条　合伙人对合伙企业有关事项作出决议，按照合伙协议约定的表决办法办理。合伙协议未约定或者约定不明确的，实行合伙人一人一票并经全体合伙人过半数通过的表决办法。

　　本法对合伙企业的表决办法另有规定的，从其规定。

　　第三十一条　除合伙协议另有约定外，合伙企业的下列事项应当经全体合伙人一致同意：

　　（一）改变合伙企业的名称；

　　（二）改变合伙企业的经营范围、主要经营场所的地点；

　　（三）处分合伙企业的不动产；

　　（四）转让或者处分合伙企业的知识产权和其他财产权利；

　　（五）以合伙企业名义为他人提供担保；

　　（六）聘任合伙人以外的人担任合伙企业的经营管理人员。

　　第三十二条　合伙人不得自营或者同他人合作经营与本合伙企业相竞争的业务。

　　除合伙协议另有约定或者经全体合伙人一致同意外，合伙人不得同本合伙企业进行交易。

　　合伙人不得从事损害本合伙企业利益的活动。

　　第三十三条　合伙企业的利润分配、亏损分担，按照合伙协议的约定办理；合伙协议未约定或者约定不明确的，由合伙人协商决定；协商不成的，由合伙人按照实缴出资比例分配、分担；无法确定出资比例的，由合伙人平均分配、分担。

　　合伙协议不得约定将全部利润分配给部分合伙人或者由部分合伙人承担全部亏损。

　　第三十四条　合伙人按照合伙协议的约定或者经全体合伙人决定，可以增加或者减少对合伙企业的出资。

　　第三十五条　被聘任的合伙企业的经营管理人员应当在合伙企业授权范围内履行职务。

　　被聘任的合伙企业的经营管理人员，超越合伙企业授权范围履行职务，或者在履行职务过程中因故意或者重大过失给合伙企业造成损失的，依法承担赔偿责任。

　　第三十六条　合伙企业应当依照法律、行政法规的规定建立企业财务、会计制度。

　　第四节　合伙企业与第三人关系

　　第三十七条　合伙企业对合伙人执行合伙事务以及对外代表合伙企业权利的限制，不得对抗善意第三人。

　　第三十八条　合伙企业对其债务，应先以其全部财产进行清偿。

　　第三十九条　合伙企业不能清偿到期债务的，合伙人承担无限连带责任。

　　第四十条　合伙人由于承担无限连带责任，清偿数额超过本法第三十三条第一款规定的其亏损分担比例的，有权向其他合伙人追偿。

　　第四十一条　合伙人发生与合伙企业无关的债务，相关债权人不得以其债权抵销其对合伙企业的债务；也不得代位行使合伙人在合伙企业中的权利。

　　第四十二条　合伙人的自有财产不足清偿其与合伙企业无关的债务的，该合伙人可以以其从合伙企业中分取的收益用于清偿；债权人也可以依法请求人民法院强制执行该合伙人在合伙企业中的财产份额用于清偿。

　　人民法院强制执行合伙人的财产份额时，应当通知全体合伙人，其他合伙人有优先购买权；其他合伙人未购买，又不同意将该财产份额转让给他人的，依照本法第五十一条的规定为该合伙人办理退伙结算，或者办理削减该合伙人相应财产份额的结算。

　　第五节　入伙、退伙

　　第四十三条　新合伙人入伙，除合伙协议另有约定外，应当经全体合伙人一致同意，并依法订立书面入伙协议。

　　订立入伙协议时，原合伙人应当向新合伙人如实告知原合伙企业的经营状况和财务状况。

　　第四十四条　入伙的新合伙人与原合伙人享有同等权利，承担同等责任。入伙协议另有约定的，从其约定。

　　新合伙人对入伙前合伙企业的债务承担无限连带责任。

　　第四十五条　合伙协议约定合伙期限的，在合伙企业存续期间，有下列情形之一的，合伙人可以退伙：

　　（一）合伙协议约定的退伙事由出现；

　　（二）经全体合伙人一致同意；

　　（三）发生合伙人难以继续参加合伙的事由；

　　（四）其他合伙人严重违反合伙协议约定的义务。

　　第四十六条　合伙协议未约定合伙期限的，合伙人在不给合伙企业事务执行造成不利影响的情况下，可以退伙，但应当提前三十日通知其他合伙人。

　　第四十七条　合伙人违反本法第四十五条、第四十六条的规定退伙的，应当赔偿由此给合伙企业造成的损失。

　　第四十八条　合伙人有下列情形之一的，当然退伙：

　　（一）作为合伙人的自然人死亡或者被依法宣告死亡；

　　（二）个人丧失偿债能力；

　　（三）作为合伙人的法人或者其他组织依法被吊销营业执照、责令关闭、撤销，或者被宣告破产；

　　（四）法律规定或者合伙协议约定合伙人必须具有相关资格而丧失该资格；

　　（五）合伙人在合伙企业中的全部财产份额被人民法院强制执行。

　　合伙人被依法认定为无民事行为能力人或者限制民事行为能力人的，经其他合伙人一致同意，可以依法转为有限合伙人，普通合伙企业依法转为有限合伙企业。其他合伙人未能一致同意的，该无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力的合伙人退伙。

　　退伙事由实际发生之日为退伙生效日。

　　第四十九条　合伙人有下列情形之一的，经其他合伙人一致同意，可以决议将其除名：

　　（一）未履行出资义务；

　　（二）因故意或者重大过失给合伙企业造成损失；

　　（三）执行合伙事务时有不正当行为；

　　（四）发生合伙协议约定的事由。

　　对合伙人的除名决议应当书面通知被除名人。被除名人接到除名通知之日，除名生效，被除名人退伙。

　　被除名人对除名决议有异议的，可以自接到除名通知之日起三十日内，向人民法院起诉。

　　第五十条　合伙人死亡或者被依法宣告死亡的，对该合伙人在合伙企业中的财产份额享有合法继承权的继承人，按照合伙协议的约定或者经全体合伙人一致同意，从继承开始之日起，取得该合伙企业的合伙人资格。

　　有下列情形之一的，合伙企业应当向合伙人的继承人退还被继承合伙人的财产份额：

　　（一）继承人不愿意成为合伙人；

　　（二）法律规定或者合伙协议约定合伙人必须具有相关资格，而该继承人未取得该资格；

　　（三）合伙协议约定不能成为合伙人的其他情形。

　　合伙人的继承人为无民事行为能力人或者限制民事行为能力人的，经全体合伙人一致同意，可以依法成为有限合伙人，普通合伙企业依法转为有限合伙企业。全体合伙人未能一致同意的，合伙企业应当将被继承合伙人的财产份额退还该继承人。

 　　第五十一条　合伙人退伙，其他合伙人应当与该退伙人按照退伙时的合伙企业财产状况进行结算，退还退伙人的财产份额。退伙人对给合伙企业造成的损失负有赔偿责任的，相应扣减其应当赔偿的数额。

　　退伙时有未了结的合伙企业事务的，待该事务了结后进行结算。

　　第五十二条　退伙人在合伙企业中财产份额的退还办法，由合伙协议约定或者由全体合伙人决定，可以退还货币，也可以退还实物。

　　第五十三条　退伙人对基于其退伙前的原因发生的合伙企业债务，承担无限连带责任。

　　第五十四条　合伙人退伙时，合伙企业财产少于合伙企业债务的，退伙人应当依照本法第三十三条第一款的规定分担亏损。

　　第六节　特殊的普通合伙企业

　　第五十五条　以专业知识和专门技能为客户提供有偿服务的专业服务机构，可以设立为特殊的普通合伙企业。

　　特殊的普通合伙企业是指合伙人依照本法第五十七条的规定承担责任的普通合伙企业。

　　特殊的普通合伙企业适用本节规定；本节未作规定的，适用本章第一节至第五节的规定。

　　第五十六条　特殊的普通合伙企业名称中应当标明“特殊普通合伙”字样。

　　第五十七条　一个合伙人或者数个合伙人在执业活动中因故意或者重大过失造成合伙企业债务的，应当承担无限责任或者无限连带责任，其他合伙人以其在合伙企业中的财产份额为限承担责任。

　　合伙人在执业活动中非因故意或者重大过失造成的合伙企业债务以及合伙企业的其他债务，由全体合伙人承担无限连带责任。

　　第五十八条　合伙人执业活动中因故意或者重大过失造成的合伙企业债务，以合伙企业财产对外承担责任后，该合伙人应当按照合伙协议的约定对给合伙企业造成的损失承担赔偿责任。

　　第五十九条　特殊的普通合伙企业应当建立执业风险基金、办理职业保险。

　　执业风险基金用于偿付合伙人执业活动造成的债务。执业风险基金应当单独立户管理。具体管理办法由国务院规定。

　　第三章　有限合伙企业

　　第六十条　有限合伙企业及其合伙人适用本章规定；本章未作规定的，适用本法第二章第一节至第五节关于普通合伙企业及其合伙人的规定。

　　第六十一条　有限合伙企业由二个以上五十个以下合伙人设立；但是，法律另有规定的除外。

　　有限合伙企业至少应当有一个普通合伙人。

　　第六十二条　有限合伙企业名称中应当标明“有限合伙”字样。

　　第六十三条　合伙协议除符合本法第十八条的规定外，还应当载明下列事项：

　　（一）普通合伙人和有限合伙人的姓名或者名称、住所；

　　（二）执行事务合伙人应具备的条件和选择程序；

　　（三）执行事务合伙人权限与违约处理办法；

　　（四）执行事务合伙人的除名条件和更换程序；

　　（五）有限合伙人入伙、退伙的条件、程序以及相关责任；

　　（六）有限合伙人和普通合伙人相互转变程序。

　　第六十四条　有限合伙人可以用货币、实物、知识产权、土地使用权或者其他财产权利作价出资。

　　有限合伙人不得以劳务出资。

　　第六十五条　有限合伙人应当按照合伙协议的约定按期足额缴纳出资；未按期足额缴纳的，应当承担补缴义务，并对其他合伙人承担违约责任。

　　第六十六条　有限合伙企业登记事项中应当载明有限合伙人的姓名或者名称及认缴的出资数额。

　　第六十七条　有限合伙企业由普通合伙人执行合伙事务。执行事务合伙人可以要求在合伙协议中确定执行事务的报酬及报酬提取方式。

　　第六十八条　有限合伙人不执行合伙事务，不得对外代表有限合伙企业。

　　有限合伙人的下列行为，不视为执行合伙事务：

　　（一）参与决定普通合伙人入伙、退伙；

　　（二）对企业的经营管理提出建议；

　　（三）参与选择承办有限合伙企业审计业务的会计师事务所；

　　（四）获取经审计的有限合伙企业财务会计报告；

　　（五）对涉及自身利益的情况，查阅有限合伙企业财务会计账簿等财务资料；

　　（六）在有限合伙企业中的利益受到侵害时，向有责任的合伙人主张权利或者提起诉讼；

　　（七）执行事务合伙人怠于行使权利时，督促其行使权利或者为了本企业的利益以自己的名义提起诉讼；

　　（八）依法为本企业提供担保。

　　第六十九条　有限合伙企业不得将全部利润分配给部分合伙人；但是，合伙协议另有约定的除外。

　　第七十条　有限合伙人可以同本有限合伙企业进行交易；但是，合伙协议另有约定的除外。

　　第七十一条　有限合伙人可以自营或者同他人合作经营与本有限合伙企业相竞争的业务；但是，合伙协议另有约定的除外。

　　第七十二条　有限合伙人可以将其在有限合伙企业中的财产份额出质；但是，合伙协议另有约定的除外。

　　第七十三条　有限合伙人可以按照合伙协议的约定向合伙人以外的人转让其在有限合伙企业中的财产份额，但应当提前三十日通知其他合伙人。

　　第七十四条　有限合伙人的自有财产不足清偿其与合伙企业无关的债务的，该合伙人可以以其从有限合伙企业中分取的收益用于清偿；债权人也可以依法请求人民法院强制执行该合伙人在有限合伙企业中的财产份额用于清偿。

　　人民法院强制执行有限合伙人的财产份额时，应当通知全体合伙人。在同等条件下，其他合伙人有优先购买权。

　　第七十五条　有限合伙企业仅剩有限合伙人的，应当解散；有限合伙企业仅剩普通合伙人的，转为普通合伙企业。

　　第七十六条　第三人有理由相信有限合伙人为普通合伙人并与其交易的，该有限合伙人对该笔交易承担与普通合伙人同样的责任。

　　有限合伙人未经授权以有限合伙企业名义与他人进行交易，给有限合伙企业或者其他合伙人造成损失的，该有限合伙人应当承担赔偿责任。

　　第七十七条　新入伙的有限合伙人对入伙前有限合伙企业的债务，以其认缴的出资额为限承担责任。

　　第七十八条　有限合伙人有本法第四十八条第一款第一项、第三项至第五项所列情形之一的，当然退伙。

　　第七十九条　作为有限合伙人的自然人在有限合伙企业存续期间丧失民事行为能力的，其他合伙人不得因此要求其退伙。

　　第八十条　作为有限合伙人的自然人死亡、被依法宣告死亡或者作为有限合伙人的法人及其他组织终止时，其继承人或者权利承受人可以依法取得该有限合伙人在有限合伙企业中的资格。

　　第八十一条　有限合伙人退伙后，对基于其退伙前的原因发生的有限合伙企业债务，以其退伙时从有限合伙企业中取回的财产承担责任。

　　第八十二条　除合伙协议另有约定外，普通合伙人转变为有限合伙人，或者有限合伙人转变为普通合伙人，应当经全体合伙人一致同意。

　　第八十三条　有限合伙人转变为普通合伙人的，对其作为有限合伙人期间有限合伙企业发生的债务承担无限连带责任。

　　第八十四条　普通合伙人转变为有限合伙人的，对其作为普通合伙人期间合伙企业发生的债务承担无限连带责任。

 　　第四章　合伙企业解散、清算

 　　第八十五条　合伙企业有下列情形之一的，应当解散：

　　（一）合伙期限届满，合伙人决定不再经营；

　　（二）合伙协议约定的解散事由出现；

　　（三）全体合伙人决定解散；

　　（四）合伙人已不具备法定人数满三十天；

　　（五）合伙协议约定的合伙目的已经实现或者无法实现；

　　（六）依法被吊销营业执照、责令关闭或者被撤销；

　　（七）法律、行政法规规定的其他原因。

　　第八十六条　合伙企业解散，应当由清算人进行清算。

　　清算人由全体合伙人担任；经全体合伙人过半数同意，可以自合伙企业解散事由出现后十五日内指定一个或者数个合伙人，或者委托第三人，担任清算人。

　　自合伙企业解散事由出现之日起十五日内未确定清算人的，合伙人或者其他利害关系人可以申请人民法院指定清算人。

　　第八十七条　清算人在清算期间执行下列事务：

　　（一）清理合伙企业财产，分别编制资产负债表和财产清单；

　　（二）处理与清算有关的合伙企业未了结事务；

　　（三）清缴所欠税款；

　　（四）清理债权、债务；

　　（五）处理合伙企业清偿债务后的剩余财产；

　　（六）代表合伙企业参加诉讼或者仲裁活动。

　　第八十八条　清算人自被确定之日起十日内将合伙企业解散事项通知债权人，并于六十日内在报纸上公告。债权人应当自接到通知书之日起三十日内，未接到通知书的自公告之日起四十五日内，向清算人申报债权。

　　债权人申报债权，应当说明债权的有关事项，并提供证明材料。清算人应当对债权进行登记。

　　清算期间，合伙企业存续，但不得开展与清算无关的经营活动。

　　第八十九条　合伙企业财产在支付清算费用和职工工资、社会保险费用、法定补偿金以及缴纳所欠税款、清偿债务后的剩余财产，依照本法第三十三条第一款的规定进行分配。

　　第九十条　清算结束，清算人应当编制清算报告，经全体合伙人签名、盖章后，在十五日内向企业登记机关报送清算报告，申请办理合伙企业注销登记。

　　第九十一条　合伙企业注销后，原普通合伙人对合伙企业存续期间的债务仍应承担无限连带责任。

　　第九十二条　合伙企业不能清偿到期债务的，债权人可以依法向人民法院提出破产清算申请，也可以要求普通合伙人清偿。

　　合伙企业依法被宣告破产的，普通合伙人对合伙企业债务仍应承担无限连带责任。

　　第五章　法律责任

　　第九十三条　违反本法规定，提交虚假文件或者采取其他欺骗手段，取得合伙企业登记的，由企业登记机关责令改正，处以五千元以上五万元以下的罚款；情节严重的，撤销企业登记，并处以五万元以上二十万元以下的罚款。

　　第九十四条　违反本法规定，合伙企业未在其名称中标明“普通合伙”、“特殊普通合伙”或者“有限合伙”字样的，由企业登记机关责令限期改正，处以二千元以上一万元以下的罚款。

　　第九十五条　违反本法规定，未领取营业执照，而以合伙企业或者合伙企业分支机构名义从事合伙业务的，由企业登记机关责令停止，处以五千元以上五万元以下的罚款。

　　合伙企业登记事项发生变更时，未依照本法规定办理变更登记的，由企业登记机关责令限期登记；逾期不登记的，处以二千元以上二万元以下的罚款。

　　合伙企业登记事项发生变更，执行合伙事务的合伙人未按期申请办理变更登记的，应当赔偿由此给合伙企业、其他合伙人或者善意第三人造成的损失。

　　第九十六条　合伙人执行合伙事务，或者合伙企业从业人员利用职务上的便利，将应当归合伙企业的利益据为己有的，或者采取其他手段侵占合伙企业财产的，应当将该利益和财产退还合伙企业；给合伙企业或者其他合伙人造成损失的，依法承担赔偿责任。

　　第九十七条　合伙人对本法规定或者合伙协议约定必须经全体合伙人一致同意始得执行的事务擅自处理，给合伙企业或者其他合伙人造成损失的，依法承担赔偿责任。

　　第九十八条　不具有事务执行权的合伙人擅自执行合伙事务，给合伙企业或者其他合伙人造成损失的，依法承担赔偿责任。

　　第九十九条　合伙人违反本法规定或者合伙协议的约定，从事与本合伙企业相竞争的业务或者与本合伙企业进行交易的，该收益归合伙企业所有；给合伙企业或者其他合伙人造成损失的，依法承担赔偿责任。

　　第一百条　清算人未依照本法规定向企业登记机关报送清算报告，或者报送清算报告隐瞒重要事实，或者有重大遗漏的，由企业登记机关责令改正。由此产生的费用和损失，由清算人承担和赔偿。

　　第一百零一条　清算人执行清算事务，牟取非法收入或者侵占合伙企业财产的，应当将该收入和侵占的财产退还合伙企业；给合伙企业或者其他合伙人造成损失的，依法承担赔偿责任。

　　第一百零二条　清算人违反本法规定，隐匿、转移合伙企业财产，对资产负债表或者财产清单作虚假记载，或者在未清偿债务前分配财产，损害债权人利益的，依法承担赔偿责任。

　　第一百零三条　合伙人违反合伙协议的，应当依法承担违约责任。

　　合伙人履行合伙协议发生争议的，合伙人可以通过协商或者调解解决。不愿通过协商、调解解决或者协商、调解不成的，可以按照合伙协议约定的仲裁条款或者 事后达成的书面仲裁协议，向仲裁机构申请仲裁。合伙协议中未订立仲裁条款，事后又没有达成书面仲裁协议的，可以向人民法院起诉。

　　第一百零四条　有关行政管理机关的工作人员违反本法规定，滥用职权、徇私舞弊、收受贿赂、侵害合伙企业合法权益的，依法给予行政处分。

　　第一百零五条　违反本法规定，构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。

　　第一百零六条　违反本法规定，应当承担民事赔偿责任和缴纳罚款、罚金，其财产不足以同时支付的，先承担民事赔偿责任。

　　第六章　附则

　　第一百零七条　非企业专业服务机构依据有关法律采取合伙制的，其合伙人承担责任的形式可以适用本法关于特殊的普通合伙企业合伙人承担责任的规定。

　　第一百零八条　外国企业或者个人在中国境内设立合伙企业的管理办法由国务院规定。

　　第一百零九条　本法自2007年6月1日起施行。
 

NPC: 合伙企业法修改情况介绍
于《中华人民共和国合伙企业法（修订草案）》的说明

　　--2006年4月25日在第十届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十一次会议上
　　全国人大财政经济委员会副主任委员 严义埙
　　全国人民代表大会常务委员会：
　　根据十届全国人大常委会立法规划的安排，全国人大财经委员会负责组织起草《中华人民共和国合伙企业法（修订草案）》（以下简称草案）. 2004年2月，财经委员会会同全国人大常委会有关工作机构、国务院有关部门、单位以及专家学者组成起草组，在开展专题调研和课题研究的基础上，认真总结实施经验，深入研究存在的问题，根据我国社会主义市场经济体制建设和经济社会发展的实际需要，拟订了修订草案稿。之后又广泛征求各地、各部门、企业、机构和专家学者的意见，与全国人大法律委员会和国务院有关部门进行协商，形成了目前的草案。下面，我受财经委员会的委托，就草案作如下说明。
　　一、关于合伙企业法修订的必要性
　　《中华人民共和国合伙企业法》（以下简称合伙企业法）自1997年8月1日施行以来，对于确立合伙企业的法律地位，规范合伙企业设立与经营，保护合伙企业及其合伙人的合法权益，鼓励民间投资，促进经济发展，发挥了积极作用。截至2003年底，依据该法设立的合伙企业有5．4万家，连同依据《私营企业暂行条例》设立的6．7万家合伙企业，合计12．1万家。其中，一些会计师事务所等专业服务机构也依据该法登记设立。
　　随着社会主义市场经济体制的逐步完善，经济社会生活中出现了一些新的情况和问题，合伙企业法的有些规定已不适应现实要求。近年来，有不少全国人大代表提出议案或建议，要求修订合伙企业法，有的还拟订了修订建议稿。因此，该法迫切需要修改完善：
　　第一，合伙企业法规范的对象比较单一。该法第二条规定，“本法所称合伙企业，是指依照本法在中国境内设立的由各合伙人订立合伙协议，共同投资、合伙经营、共享收益、共担风险，并对合伙企业债务承担无限连带责任的营利性组织”。第八条规定合伙人应当是“依法承担无限责任者”。当时该法将调整对象主要限定为规模较小的私营企业。但是这样规定，一是限制了愿意参与合伙，但不愿承担无限连带责任的投资者的投资选择；二是限制了公司等法人组织利用合伙方式投资经营，特别是直接影响大企业与具有特定优势的中小企业通过设立合伙企业进行合作。
　　第二，发展风险投资迫切需要在法律中规定有限合伙制度。风险投资是上世纪六十年代快速发展起来的一种股权投资方式，主要通过持有股权，投资于在创业阶段有快速成长可能的科技型中小企业，以促进这类企业的技术开发、创业发展和资金融通。它是吸引社会投资、鼓励自主创新，促进高新技术企业发展的有效方式。风险投资常用的组织形式是有限合伙，即在至少有一名合伙人承担无限责任的基础上，允许其他合伙人承担有限责任，从而将具有投资管理经验或技术研发能力的机构或个人，与具有资金实力的投资机构有效结合起来。既激励管理者全力创业，降低决策管理成本，提高投资收益，又使资金投入机构在承担与公司制企业同样责任的前提下，有可能获得更高的收益。根据国家鼓励自主创新、建设创新型社会的要求，需要大力发展风险投资事业，由于合伙企业法没有规定有限合伙制度，而且有的条文对设立有限合伙形成直接限制，使我国风险投资难以采用这一制度。目前，我国一些省市为了鼓励创新，发展风险投资，在有限合伙方面做了一些尝试，由于立法层次不高，效果不很理想，迫切需要通过国家立法加以促进和规范。
　　第三，专业服务机构的发展迫切需要在法律中规定有限责任合伙制度。有限责任合伙是普通合伙的一种发展形式，各合伙人仍对合伙债务承担无限责任，但仅对由本人负责的业务或过错所导致的合伙债务承担无限责任，对因其他合伙人过错造成的合伙债务不负无限连带责任。许多国际专业服务机构，如普华、德勤、安永、毕马威等4家国际最大的会计师事务所，都采用了有限责任合伙形式。由于我国合伙企业法没有规定有限责任合伙，只规定了全体合伙人承担无限连带责任的普通合伙，因此，会计师事务所等专业服务机构的发展受到很大限制，规模普遍偏小，难以与国外的专业服务机构展开竞争。这就迫切需要在合伙企业法中明确规定有限责任合伙的组织形式，以利于这类机构发展壮大以及与国际专业服务机构竞争。
　　二、关于草案修订的主要内容
　　与现行合伙企业法相比，草案新增26条，删除2条，合并4条，由原来的九章78条增加到十一章100条。修改的主要内容是：
　　（一）增加有限合伙制度。有限合伙是对合伙企业债务承担无限责任的普通合伙人与承担有限责任的有限合伙人共同组成的合伙。这种组织形式主要适用于风险投资，由具有良好投资意识的专业管理机构或个人作为普通合伙人，承担无限连带责任，行使合伙事务执行权，负责企业的经营管理；作为资金投入者的有限合伙人依据合伙协议享受合伙收益，对企业债务只承担有限责任，不对外代表合伙，也不直接参与企业经营管理。根据我国建设创新型社会的需要，为鼓励推动风险投资事业发展，草案增加“有限合伙的特殊规定”一章，主要规定了有限合伙人的权利与义务，有限合伙的事务执行，以及有限合伙不同于普通合伙的特殊规定等内容。
　　（二）增加有限责任合伙制度。有限责任合伙的合伙人仍对合伙债务承担无限连带责任，但这种制度将合伙人的无限连带责任仅局限于本人业务范围及过错，使这些专业服务机构的合伙人避免承担过度风险，有利于其发展壮大和异地发展业务。根据上述情况，草案增加了“有限责任合伙的特殊规定”一章，就有限责任合伙的定义、专业服务机构的责任、执业风险基金等内容作了规定。
　　由于有限责任合伙限定了合伙人对合伙企业债务承担无限责任的范围，客观上需要增加对客户和第三人的补充保护制度。为此，草案规定，有限责任合伙机构要从业务收入中提取一定比例资金，建立执业风险基金，用于偿付由执业责任形成的债务。
　　对哪些机构可以采用有限责任合伙形式，草案在第七十条作了原则规定：“本章适用于依法登记为合伙企业的会计师事务所等以专业知识和专门技能为客户提供有偿服务，并承担相应法律责任的专业服务机构”。这既明确了对会计师事务所的直接适用，也为将来可能采用合伙制或有限责任合伙制的行业和机构留有余地。
　　（三）明确法人可以参与合伙。现行合伙企业法对法人合伙的规定不够明确。法人参与合伙可以使公司等企业法人利用合伙企业形式灵活、合作简便、成本较低等优势，实现其特定的目的事业，也有利于大型企业在开发新产品、新技术中与创新型中小企业进行合作。因此，草案第三条第一款明确规定：“本法所称合伙人包括自然人、法人和其他经济组织”。这一规定与公司法第十五条关于限制公司对外投资的除外条款是衔接的。同时，为防止国有企业和上市公司因参加合伙可能使企业全部财产面临承担连带责任的风险，草案第三条第二款规定：“国有独资企业、上市公司参加合伙应通过其子公司或其他控股机构进行。”
　　此外，草案还细化了合伙企业法的一些规定，对个别文字作了调整。
　　三、关于两个问题的说明
　　（一）关于本法对专业服务机构的适用问题。目前我国已有大量会计师事务所、资产评估事务所等以专业知识和专门技能为客户提供有偿服务，并承担相应法律责任的专业服务机构。这些机构中有的已经登记为合伙企业，有的登记为有限责任公司，还有的按照其他法律登记为合伙制事务所。在起草过程中，有的专业服务机构和行业协会要求合伙企业法适用于所有合伙制的专业服务机构。考虑到合伙企业法只是一种企业组织法，投资人可以在遵守行业管理的前提下，依法自主选择组建公司或者合伙企业，另外，不同专业服务机构的性质认定还存在分歧意见。为此，草案未直接规定依照其他法律设立的合伙事务所适用本法。
　　（二）关于有限合伙的责任承担能力问题。草案规定的有限合伙制度，不会降低有限合伙的责任承担能力。这是因为，一是有限合伙人应当按期足额缴纳合伙协议约定的出资额。有限合伙人的出资与有限合伙人的个人财产是严格分开的，不得随意抽回，并在企业注册时由工商部门审查登记，供交易相对人核实。二是有限合伙企业出现风险，首先以企业财产承担责任，如果企业财产不足以偿付，普通合伙人将对债务承担无限连带责任。三是有限合伙制度主要应用于风险投资。2005年国家发展和改革委等部门发布的《创业投资企业管理暂行办法》规定了较高的门槛，即创业投资企业的实收资本不低于3000万元人民币，这为将来依据本法设立风险投资有限合伙企业提供了参照标准。
　　《中华人民共和国合伙企业法（修订草案）》和以上说明是否妥当，请予审议。
 
全国人大法律委员会关于《中华人民共和国合伙企业法（修订草案）》修改情况的汇报
 
　　--2006年6月24日在第十届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十二次会议上
　　全国人大法律委员会副主任委员 洪 虎
　　全国人民代表大会常务委员会：
　　十届全国人大常委会第二十一次会议对合伙企业法（修订草案）进行了初次审议。会后，法制工作委员会将草案印发各地方、中央有关部门、研究机构及有关企业和单位征求意见，法律委员会、财经委员会和法制工作委员会联合召开座谈会听取有关部门和专家的意见。法制工作委员会还赴北京、广东进行调研，听取了风险投资机构、律师事务所、会计师事务所、税务师事务所等有关单位的意见。法制工作委员会与财经委员会、国务院法制办就草案修改中的主要问题共同进行了研究、协调。法律委员会于6月7日召开会议，根据常委会组成人员的审议意见和各方面的意见，对草案进行了审议。财经委员会和国务院有关部门的负责同志列席了会议。6月20日，法律委员会召开会议，再次进行了审议。现将修订草案主要问题修改情况汇报如下：
　　一、关于合伙企业的形式问题
　　修订草案将合伙企业分为普通合伙、有限合伙和有限责任合伙三种相互独立的形式。有些专家提出，有限责任合伙本质上属于普通合伙，不是一种独立的合伙企业形式。法律委员会研究认为，从主要国家的有关法律制度看，合伙企业主要分为两类：一类是普通合伙企业，其特点是合伙人共同执行合伙事务，并对合伙企业债务承担无限连带责任。另一类是有限合伙企业，其特点是由普通合伙人与有限合伙人共同组成，其中：普通合伙人执行合伙事务并对合伙企业债务承担无限连带责任；有限合伙人只出资，而不执行合伙事务，对企业债务仅以其出资额为限承担责任。随着合伙企业的发展，一些国家对通常采取普通合伙企业形式的专业服务机构中合伙人的责任作出特别规定，即：在合伙人都要对合伙企业债务承担无限连带责任的原则下，对一个合伙人在执业活动中因故意或者重大过失引起的合伙企业债务，其他合伙人可以免除连带责任。从本质上看，这种在特定情况下免除连带责任的有限责任合伙只是普通合伙中的一种特殊责任形式。采取有限责任合伙形式的合伙企业，其合伙人在执行合伙事务、与第三人关系、入伙、退伙等方面，与普通合伙企业是一样的，不宜将其单独列为一种合伙企业。法律委员会经同财经委员会、国务院法制办研究，建议将合伙企业分为普通合伙企业和有限合伙企业两种，分两章规定。在“普通合伙企业”一章中，将有限责任合伙作为一节，作出特别规定同时，对修订草案的体例、章节作出相应的调整。
　　二、关于有限责任合伙人免除连带责任的问题
　　修订草案第七十三条规定，对某一合伙人本人的执业行为和负责的业务事项引起的合伙企业债务，其他合伙人都可以免除连带责任。有些专家和部门提出，这样规定使其他合伙人免除连带责任的范围过宽，国外规定的都比较严，应仅限于合伙人本人执业行为中因故意或重大过失引起的合伙企业债务这种情形。法律委员会经同财经委员会、国务院法制办研究，同意上述意见，建议将这一条修改为：“对合伙人本人执业行为中因故意或者重大过失引起的合伙企业债务，其他合伙人以其在合伙企业中的财产份额为限承担责任；执业行为中有故意或者重大过失的合伙人应当承担无限连带责任。” “对合伙人本人执业行为中非因故意或者重大过失引起的合伙企业债务和合伙企业的其他债务，全体合伙人承担无限连带责任。”
　　三、关于国有独资公司、上市公司参加合伙问题
　　修订草案第三条第二款规定：“国有独资企业、上市公司参加合伙应通过其子公司或其他控股机构进行。”有的部门、专家提出，这一规定实际上是不允许国有独资企业、上市公司直接成为合伙人。这些企业作为法人，应当允许其投资设立合伙企业，但不宜成为普通合伙人。法律委员会经同国务院法制办、国资委、证监会研究认为，国有独资公司、国有企业、上市公司如果成为普通合伙人，就要对合伙企业债务承担连带责任，不利于保护国有资产和上市公司股东的利益。因此，不宜允许其成为普通合伙人，但可以成为有限合伙人，仅以其出资额为限对合伙企业债务承担有限责任。据此，法律委员会建议将这一款修改为：“国有独资公司、国有企业、上市公司不得成为普通合伙人。”
　　四、关于合伙企业缴纳所得税的问题
　　修订草案第七条规定，国家对合伙企业及其合伙人的生产经营所得实行一次征税原则。许多部门、单位、专家和企业提出，“一次征税原则”概念不清，哪种税、在哪个环节征收都不清楚。对合伙企业经营所得不征收所得税，只对合伙人从合伙企业取得的收入征收所得税，是国际上的普遍做法，也是合伙企业同其他企业、公司组织形式相比具有吸引力之处。财政部提出，现行合伙企业法只涉及普通合伙企业，合伙人为自然人，对合伙企业债务承担无限连带责任。2000年国务院规定对这类企业停止征收企业所得税，只对其合伙人比照个体工商户的生产经营所得征收个人所得税。修订草案允许法人和其他经济组织成为合伙人，同时增加了有限合伙、有限责任合伙，其中的有限合伙人只对合伙企业债务承担有限责任。因此，需要对合伙企业征收所得税的问题进一步加以整体研究，建议合伙企业法对征税问题不作规定。国家税务总局提出，同意继续执行消除对合伙企业重复征税的现行政策，合伙人是自然人的，对其征收个人所得税；合伙人是法人或其他经济组织的，对其征收企业所得税。这个问题宜由税收法律统一规定或由国务院规定。法律委员会经同财经委员会研究认为，为了吸引社会投资，并参照国际上的普遍做法，最好明确规定对合伙企业不征收所得税，只对合伙人从合伙企业取得的收入依法征收所得税。据此，法律委员会建议将这一条修改为：“合伙企业的生产经营所得，向合伙人分配后，由合伙人依法缴纳所得税。”
　　五、关于采用有限责任合伙的范围问题
　　修订草案第七十条规定，有限责任合伙“适用于依法登记为合伙企业的会计师事务所等以专业知识和专门技能为客户提供有偿服务，并承担相应法律责任的专业服务机构”。有的常委委员、部门和单位提出，专业服务机构种类很多，不应只强调会计师事务所。有的部门提出，律师事务所属于专业服务机构，但不是企业，由司法部门审批管理，不进行工商登记。因此，实行合伙制的律师事务所，不宜适用合伙企业法，但在承担责任的形式上可以采用合伙企业法规定的有限责任合伙形式。法律委员会经同财经委员会、国务院法制办、司法部研究认为，对在工商部门登记的属于企业的专业服务机构，应当直接适用本法关于有限责任合伙的规定；对非企业的专业服务机构，其承担责任的形式可以参照本法关于有限责任合伙的规定。据此，法律委员会建议将这一条修改为：“以专业知识和专门技能为客户提供有偿服务，并承担相应法律责任的专业服务机构，可以设立为采取有限责任合伙形式的合伙企业。采取有限责任合伙形式的合伙企业，适用本节规定；本节未作规定的，适用本章第一节至第五节的规定”并在“附则”中增加规定：“律师事务所等非企业专业服务机构，依据有关法律采取合伙制的，其承担责任的形式，可以参照本法关于有限责任合伙的规定。”
　　六、关于合伙人及其继承人不具有完全行为能力时的合伙人资格问题
　　修订草案第四十九条中规定，普通合伙人被依法认定为无民事行为能力人或者限制民事行为能力人的，当然退伙。第五十一条第二款规定，普通合伙人的继承人为无民事行为能力人的，合伙企业应当向其退还被继承合伙人的财产份额。有的地方提出，上述规定不尽合理。普通合伙人在合伙企业存续期间因故成为无民事行为能力人或者限制民事行为能力人的，不应剥夺其合伙人资格；合伙人的继承人不具有完全行为能力的，也不应剥夺他们继承在合伙企业中获取收益的权利。法律委员会研究认为，无民事行为能力人或限制民事行为能力人，因其行为能力的缺陷，不宜成为执行合伙事务，并承担无限连带责任的普通合伙人，但借鉴一些主要国家的做法，可以允许他们转为不参与合伙企业事务执行，仅以其出资额为限承担责任的有限合伙人，以维护他们在合伙企业中的应有权利。据此，法律委员会建议将修订草案第四十九条的有关内容修改为：“合伙人被依法认定为无民事行为能力人或者限制民事行为能力人的，可以转为有限合伙人，并经全体合伙人一致同意，将普通合伙企业依法转为有限合伙企业；全体合伙人未能一致同意的，该无民事行为能力或者限制民事行为能力的合伙人退伙”；同时，将修订草案第五十一条第二款的有关内容修改为：“合伙人的继承人为无民事行为能力人或者限制民事行为能力人的，可以成为有限合伙人，并经全体合伙人一致同意，将普通合伙企业依法转为有限合伙企业；全体合伙人未能一致同意的，合伙企业应当将被继承合伙人的财产份额退还给该继承人。”
　　七、关于合伙企业破产问题
　　修订草案第八十四条规定：“合伙企业不能清偿到期债务的，依法予以破产。” “合伙企业及其法人合伙人的破产适用《中华人民共和国企业破产法》规定的程序。”有的常委委员、单位提出，由于合伙人对合伙企业债务要承担无限连带责任，合伙企业财产不足以清偿债务时，债权人可以向合伙人追偿，合伙企业破产并不能免除合伙人的债务责任，因而规定合伙企业破产的意义不大。还有的常委委员提出，合伙企业多是中小企业，难以完全适用企业破产法。法律委员会研究认为，合伙企业不同于公司形式的企业，不宜规定合伙企业破产一律按照企业破产程序办理。同时，又要考虑按照企业破产处理，也有一些有利之处：一是可以使所有债权人按比例受偿，有利于兼顾各债权人的利益；二是可以对企业宣告破产前一年内违法转移财产的行为予以撤销，追回所转移的财产，增加破产财产，有利于保护债权人利益。因此，应允许合伙企业的债权人根据不同情况做出选择，可以依法提出破产申请，也可以直接向合伙人追偿。据此，建议将这一条修改为：“合伙企业不能清偿到期债务的，债权人可以依法向人民法院提出破产申请，也可以要求普通合伙人清偿。” “合伙企业被依法宣告破产的，普通合伙人对合伙企业债务仍应承担无限连带责任。”
　　这里，还有两个问题需要汇报：
　　1、修订草案第九十九条规定：“外国企业或个人在中国境内设立或参与设立合伙企业，成为普通合伙人应当符合国家有关规定。”有的部门、专家提出，允许外国企业或个人在中国境内设立或参与设立合伙企业，实际上是创设了一种新的外商投资企业的形式。由于合伙企业的特征是普通合伙人对合伙企业债务承担无限连带责任，在中国没有商业存在的外国企业或个人因其财产主要在国外，难以追偿，因而这些合伙人承担无限连带责任往往落空，不利于保护债权人的利益。法律委员会研究认为，目前要不要在合伙企业法中明确规定允许外国企业或个人在中国境内设立或参与设立合伙企业，还是经过实践总结经验以后再作规定，这个问题还需要进一步研究，这次对这一条暂未作改动。
　　2、修订草案参照公司法关于担任公司董事、监事、高级管理人员的消极资格的规定，在第二十六条第三款对受托执行合伙事务人员的消极资格作了规定，即因经济犯罪执行刑罚期满未逾五年的、因个人责任造成企业破产或违法被注销营业执照未逾三年的，都不得受托执行合伙企业事务。有的常委委员、专家提出，修订草案的规定过于严格。根据合伙企业法的基本原理，普通合伙人都有权执行合伙事务，如果禁止其中一些合伙人受托执行合伙事务，就意味着这些人不能成为普通合伙人。对于有犯罪或违法前科的人员，接受处罚或刑满释放后自谋出路组建合伙形式的小企业，应与其他公民享有同等的权利，不宜限制其成为普通合伙人。此外，合伙企业毕竟与公司形式的企业不同，多为中小企业，具有很强的人合性，哪些人可以受托执行合伙事务应由合伙人自己决定，法律不宜限制过多。法律委员会研究认为，是否对受托执行合伙事务人员的消极资格作出规定，还需要进一步研究，这次对这一款暂未作改动。
　　此外，还对修订草案作了一些文字修改。
　　修订草案二次审议稿已按上述意见作了修改，法律委员会建议本次常委会会议继续审议。
　　修订草案二次审议稿和以上汇报是否妥当，请审议。
 
全国人大法律委员会关于《中华人民共和国合伙企业法（修订草案）》审议结果的报告
 

　　--2006年8月22日在第十届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十三次会议上
　　全国人大法律委员会副主任委员 洪 虎
　　全国人民代表大会常务委员会：
　　常委会第二十二次会议对合伙企业法（修订草案二次审议稿）进行了审议。会后，法律委员会、法制工作委员会约请有关专家及风险投资机构、专业服务机构座谈，就修订草案的有关问题进一步作了研究。法律委员会、法制工作委员会还就修订草案的主要问题同全国人大财经委员会进行了研究和协调。法律委员会于8月9日召开会议，根据常委会组成人员的审议意见和各方面的意见，对草案进行了审议。财经委员会和国务院法制办、国家税务总局的负责同志列席了会议。8月17日，法律委员会召开会议，再次进行了审议。法律委员会认为，根据我国社会主义市场经济发展的需要，在总结实践经验的基础上，对合伙企业法加以修订是必要的，修订草案基本可行；同时，提出以下主要修改意见：
　　一、修订草案二次审议稿第二条规定：自然人、法人和其他组织可以成为合伙人。第三条规定：国有独资公司、国有企业、上市公司不得成为普通合伙人。有的常委委员、人大代表提出，为了维护公共利益，从事公益性活动的事业单位和社会团体也不得成为普通合伙人，其财产不应对合伙企业的债务承担无限连带责任。法律委员会经同财经委员会和国务院法制办研究，建议将修订草案二次审议稿第三条修改为：“国有独资公司、国有企业、上市公司以及公益性的事业单位、社会团体不得成为普通合伙人。”
　　二、修订草案二次审议稿第七条规定：“合伙企业的生产经营所得，向合伙人分配后，由合伙人依法缴纳所得税。”有的常委会组成人员提出，应明确规定合伙企业不缴纳企业所得税。国家税务总局提出，按照现行税收规定，合伙企业是不缴纳企业所得税的；同时，为了防止合伙人故意不分配企业利润而逃避纳税义务，合伙企业取得生产经营所得和其他所得，无论是否向合伙人分配，都应对合伙人征收所得税，这一条的表述不够准确。法律委员会经同财经委员会和国务院法制办、国家税务总局研究，建议将这一条修改为：“合伙企业的生产经营所得和其他所得，按照国家有关税收规定，由合伙人分别缴纳所得税。”
　　三、修订草案二次审议稿第二章第六节对普通合伙企业中的有限责任合伙作了规定。有些常委委员和专家提出，修订草案中同时出现“有限合伙”和“有限责任合伙”，二者容易混淆，公众难以区分。既然有限责任合伙实质上是一种特殊的普通合伙，把它称为“特殊普通合伙企业”，公众会更明白。法制工作委员会同国内外有关专家专门就这个问题进行了研究，多数专家赞成采用“特殊普通合伙企业”的名称。据此，法律委员会建议将这一节的名称修改为“特殊普通合伙企业的规定”，并对有关条款中的表述作相应修改。
　　四、修订草案二次审议稿第三十三条第一款规定：“合伙企业的利润分配、亏损分担，按照合伙协议约定的比例执行；合伙协议未约定的，由各合伙人平均分配、分担。”有的常委委员、人大代表提出，合伙人在合伙企业协议中对利润分配、亏损分担未作约定或约定不明确的，如能确定出资比例，应按出资比例分配利润、分担亏损，不宜一律实行平均分配、分担。法律委员会经研究，建议将这一款修改为：“合伙企业的利润分配、亏损分担，按照合伙协议的约定办理；合伙协议未约定或者约定不明确的，由合伙人协商决定；协商不成的，由合伙人按照实缴出资比例分配、分担；无法确定出资比例的，由合伙人平均分配、分担。”
　　修订草案二次审议稿第三十三条第二款规定：“合伙协议不得约定将全部利润分配给部分合伙人或者由部分合伙人承担全部亏损。”有的地方提出，实践中采用有限合伙形式的风险投资企业，大多在协议中约定，有限合伙人可以在前几年分取合伙企业的全部利润，以收回投资，本法应考虑有限合伙企业的这种特殊性。法律委员会研究认为，考虑到有限合伙企业的特点，应对这个问题作出更加灵活的规定。据此，法律委员会建议在“有限合伙企业”一章中增加一条规定：“有限合伙企业不得将全部利润分配给部分合伙人；但是，合伙协议另有约定的除外。”
　　五、有的常委委员提出，为了防止有人利用有限合伙形式进行非法集资活动，应对有限合伙企业合伙人的人数作出必要的限制。法律委员会经同财经委员会研究认为，规定有限合伙企业合伙人的人数，既要体现有限合伙企业的人合性，又要防止有人利用这种形式从事非法集资活动，还要为今后的实践留有必要的空间。据此，法律委员会参照公司法有关有限责任公司股东人数的规定，并借鉴有些国家的法律规定，建议在二次审议稿第六十二条中增加一款规定：“有限合伙企业由二个以上五十个以下合伙人设立；但是，法律另有规定的除外。”
　　六、有的常委委员、人大代表提出，由于有限合伙人以其认缴的出资额为限对合伙企业债务承担责任，需要规定对有限合伙人的出资应作价，并在企业登记事项中予以载明，以起到公示作用，保护债权人利益。法律委员会经研究，建议在二次审议稿第六十五条中增加一款规定：“有限合伙人可以用货币出资，也可以用实物、知识产权、土地使用权等非货币财产作价出资”。同时，增加一条规定：“有限合伙企业登记事项中应当载明有限合伙人的姓名或者名称及认缴的出资数额。”
　　七、修订草案二次审议稿第四十五条第二款规定，“新合伙人对入伙前合伙企业的债务承担连带责任”。有的地方、专家提出，由于有限合伙人仅以其认缴的出资额为限对合伙企业债务承担责任，这一规定不应适用于有限合伙人。法律委员会研究认为，根据有限合伙人承担责任的特点，应对新入伙的有限合伙人的责任界限作出特别规定。据此，法律委员会建议增加一条规定：“新入伙的有限合伙人对入伙前有限合伙企业的债务，以其认缴的出资额为限承担责任。”
　　八、按照修订草案二次审议稿第二十六条第四款的规定，因经济犯罪执行刑罚期满未逾五年的，因个人责任造成企业破产或者违法被注销营业执照未逾三年的，都不得受托执行合伙企业事务。许多常委委员提出，草案对受托执行合伙企业事务的合伙人所规定的消极资格过于严格，既不符合合伙企业人合性很强的特征，也不适应扩大就业的需要，在这个问题上不宜照搬公司法的有关规定。法律委员会经研究，建议将这一款删去。
　　九、修订草案二次审议稿第一百零五条规定：“外国企业或者个人在中国境内设立或者参与设立合伙企业，成为普通合伙人应当符合国家有关规定。”有的常委会组成人员建议删去这一条，待实践经验比较成熟时再作规定为妥。有的常委委员提出，我国在加入世贸组织时已经承诺对外国专业服务机构开放，而这些机构中很多是采取合伙企业形式的，国务院对此已经作了一些专项规定。因此，这一条还是予以保留为好。同时，对外商在我国境内设立的合伙企业又要加以规范，进行必要的管理，宜由国务院规定具体管理办法。据此，法律委员会建议将这一条修改为：“外国企业或者个人在中国境内设立合伙企业的管理办法由国务院规定。”
　　此外，还对修订草案二次审议稿作了一些文字修改。
　　修订草案三次审议稿已按上述意见作了修改，法律委员会建议本次常委会会议审议通过。
　　修订草案三次审议稿和以上报告是否妥当，请审议。
 
 
 
Order of the President of the People's Republic of China
(No. 55)

The Partnership Enterprise Law of the People's Republic of China was amended and adopted at the 23rd session of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on August 27, 2006. The amended Partnership Enterprise Law of the People's Republic of China is hereby promulgated and shall come into force as of June 1, 2007.

President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao

August 27, 2006.

Partnership Enterprise Law of the People's Republic of China

(Adopted at the 24th session of the Standing Committee of the 8th National People's Congress on February 23, 1997 and amended at the 23rd session of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on August 27, 2006)

Contents

Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II General Partnership Enterprises
Section 1 Establishment of A Partnership Enterprise
Section 2 Property of A Partnership Enterprise
Section 3 Execution of Partnership Affairs
Section 4 Relationship Between A Partnership Enterprise and Third Persons
Section 5 Admission to and Withdrawal from A Partnership
Section 6 Special General Partnership Enterprises
Chapter III Limited Liability Partnership Enterprises
Chapter IV Dissolution and Liquidation of Partnership Enterprises
Chapter V Legal Liabilities
Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 This law is formulated for the purpose of regulating the acts of partnership enterprises, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of partnership enterprises as well as their partners and creditors, maintaining the social and economic order, and promoting the development of the socialist market economy.

Article 2 The term "partnership enterprise" refers to the general partnership enterprises and limited liability partnership enterprises which are established within China by natural persons, legal persons and other organizations in accordance with the law.

A general partnership enterprise may be formed by general partners. The partners shall bear unlimited joint and several liabilities for the debts of the partnership enterprise. If this Law has any special provisions on the way in which the general partners shall bear liabilities, these special provisions shall prevail.

A limited liability partnership enterprise shall be formed by general partners and limited partners. The general partners shall bear unlimited joint and several liabilities for the debts of the limited liability partnership enterprise. The limited partners bear the liabilities for its debts to the extent of their capital contributions.

Article 3 No wholly state-funded company, state-owned company, listed company, public-welfare-oriented public institution or social organization may become a general partner.

Article 4 A partnership agreement shall be concluded in writing upon the consensus of all partners.

Article 5 The principle of willingness, equality, fairness and good faith in the conclusion of a partnership agreement and in the establishment of a partnership enterprise.

Article 6 For the production and business operation incomes and other incomes of a partnership enterprise, the partners shall pay their respective income tax in accordance with the relevant tax provisions of the state.

Article 7 A partnership enterprise and its partners shall abide by the laws, administrative regulations, social morals, commercial morals and bear social liabilities.

Article 8 The legitimate property, rights and interests of a partnership enterprise and its partners shall be protected by law.

Article 9 To establish a partnership enterprise, the applicant shall submit to the enterprise registration organ a registration application, partnership agreement, identity certificates of the partners and other documents.

If the business scope of a partnership enterprise contains any item which is subject to approval prior to registration under a law or administrative regulation, such business shall be subject to approval in accordance with the law and the approval document shall be submitted at the time of registration.

Article 10 If the registration application materials submitted by an applicant are complete and conform to the statutory form and if the enterprise registration organ can finish the registration on the spot, the enterprise registration organ shall do so and shall issue to the applicant a business license.

Except for the circumstance as mentioned in the preceding Paragraph, the enterprise registration organ shall, within 20 days after it accepts an application, decide whether or not to register. If it decides to register it, it shall issue to the applicant a business license. If it decides not to register it, it shall give a written reply to the applicant and make an explanation.

Article 11 The date of issuance of business license of a partnership enterprise shall be the date of establishment of the partnership enterprise.

Before a partnership enterprise obtains a business license, the partners shall not engage in the partnership business in the name of a partnership enterprise.

Article 12 Where a partnership enterprise intends to establish a branch, it shall apply to the enterprise registration organ of the place where the to-be-established branch is located for registration so as to obtain a business license.

Article 13 Where any of the partnership enterprise registration items is changed, the partners executing the partnership affairs shall, within 15 days after they make a decision of change or after the change occurs, apply to the enterprise registration organ for modifying the registration.

Chapter II General partnership Enterprises

Section 1 Establishment of A Partnership Enterprise

Article 14 To establish a partnership enterprise, the following conditions shall be satisfied:
(1)Having 2 or more partners. If the partners are natural persons, they shall have complete civil capacity;
(2)Having a written partnership agreement;
(3)Having capital contributions subscribed to or actually paid by the partners;
(4)Having a name and a production and business operation place for the partnership enterprise; and
(5)Other conditions as provided for by laws and administrative regulations.

Article 15 The name of a partnership enterprise shall be indicated by the words "General partnership".

Article 16 A partner may make capital contributions in money, in kind, or intellectual property right, land use right or other properties, or labor services.

Where a partner intends to make capital contributions in kind, intellectual property right, land use right and other properties, of which the price should be assessed, the price may be determined by all partners through negotiation or may assessed by the a statutory assessment institution entrusted by all partners.

Where a partner makes capital contributions by labor services, the assessment method shall be determined by all partners and shall be stated in a partnership agreement.

Article 17 A partner shall perform the capital contribution obligation according to the way and amount of capital contribution and the time limit for payment as stipulated in the partnership agreement.

For the capital contributions in non-monetary properties for which the formalities for the transfer of property right shall be gone through under any law or administrative regulation, the partner shall go through the said formalities.

Article 18 A partnership agreement shall state the following matters:
(1) The name and address of the main business operation place of a partnership enterprise;
(2) The purpose and business scope of partnership;
(3)The name and domicile of each partner;
(4)The ways and amount of capital contribution by partners and the time limit for payment;
(5)The profit distribution and loss sharing;
(6)The execution of the partnership affairs;
(7)The admission to and withdrawal from partnership;
(8)The settlement of disputes;
(9)The dissolution and liquidation of the partnership enterprise; and
(10)The liabilities for breach of contract.

Article 19 A partnership agreement shall enter into force after all partners affix their signatures or seals to it. The partners shall enjoy their rights and perform their duties according to the partnership agreement.

The revision or supplement of an agreement shall be subject to the unanimous consent of all partners, unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership agreement.

For any matter which is not stipulated or not expressly stipulated in the partnership agreement, it may be decided by the partners through negotiation. For failure of negotiation, it may be handled in accordance with this Law, other laws and administrative regulations.

Section 2 Property of A Partnership Enterprise

Article 20 All the capital contributions made by partners, the proceeds and other properties acquired in the name of a partnership shall be the properties of the partnership enterprise.

Article 21 Prior to the liquidation of a partnership enterprise, no partner may request for dividing the properties of the partnership enterprise, unless it is otherwise provided for in this Law.

If the partners privately transfer or dispose of the properties of a partnership enterprise prior to liquidation, the partnership enterprise shall not challenge any bona fide third party.

Article 22 Unless it is otherwise provided for in the partnership agreement, when a partner assigns its entire or partial share of properties of a partnership enterprise, it (he) shall acquire the unanimous consent of all other partners.

In the case of assignment of a partner' entire or partial share of properties of a partnership enterprise to another partner, the other partners shall be informed of this assignment.

Article 23 Where a partner intends to assign its (his) entire or partial share of properties of a partnership enterprise to a non-partner, the other partners have a preemptive right under the same conditions, unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership agreement.

Article 24 Where a non-partner accepts a partner's share of properties of a partnership enterprise in accordance with the law, it (he) becomes a partner of the partnership enterprise as soon as the partnership agreement is revised and shall enjoy the rights and perform the obligations in accordance with this Law and the post-revision partnership agreement.

Article 25 Where a partner puts its share of properties of the partnership enterprise in pledge, it shall acquire the unanimous consent of other partners. Without unanimous consent of other partners, its (his) act shall be invalidated. If such an act results in any loss to the bona fide third party, the act doer shall be liable for compensation.

Section 3 Execution of Partnership Affairs

Article 26 The partners enjoy equal rights to the execution of partnership affairs.

According to the stipulations of the partnership agreement or upon decision of all partners, one or several partners may be authorized to execute the partnership affairs on behalf of the partnership enterprise.

Where a legal person partner or any other organization partner executes the partnership affairs, the representative whom it authorizes shall execute the partnership affairs.

Article 27 Where one or several partners are entrusted to execute the partnership affairs in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article 26 of this Law, the other partners no longer execute the partnership affairs.

The partners who do not execute the partnership affairs shall have the right to supervise the execution of the partnership affairs.

Article 28 Where one or several partners execute partnership affairs, they shall regularly report to the other partners about the execution of the relevant affairs, the business operations and financial status of the partnership enterprise. The proceeds derived from the execution of partnership affairs shall attribute to the partnership enterprise and the expenses and losses incurred from it shall be paid by the partnership enterprise.

In order to know the business operations and financial status of the partnership enterprise, the partners have the right to consult the account books and other financial materials of the partnership enterprise.

Article 29 If each partner may separately execute the partnership affairs, the partners executing the partners may raise objections to the affairs executed by other partners. When raising objections, the execution of such affairs shall be suspended. If any dispute arises, a decision shall be made in accordance with Article 30 of this Law.

Where a partner which is entrusted to execute the partnership affairs fails to execute the partnership affairs according to the partnership agreement or decision of all partners, the other partners may decide to revoke the entrustment.

Article 30 The partners shall make a resolutions on the relevant matters of the partnership enterprise and shall handle them according to the voting method as stipulated in the partnership agreement. If it is not stipulated or not expressly stipulated in the partnership agreement, the voting method of "one partner, one vote" and "pass upon more than half of the votes of all partners" shall be adopted.

It this Law provides otherwise for the voting method of a partnership enterprise, this Law shall prevail.

Article 31 Unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership agreement, the following matters of a partnership enterprise shall be subject to the unanimous consent of all partners:
(1)To change the name of the partnership enterprise;
(2)To change the business scope and the address of the main business place of the partnership enterprise;
(3)To dispose of the real property of the partnership enterprise;
(4)To assign or dispose of the intellectual property and other property rights of the partnership enterprise;
(5)To provide a guaranty to others on behalf of the partnership enterprise; and
(6)To hire a non-partner to act as a business manager of the partnership enterprise.

Article 32 No partner may, solely or jointly with others, operate any business competing with this partnership enterprise.

Unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership agreement or unless it is unanimously consented by all partners, no partner may have any transaction with this partnership enterprise.

No partner may engage in any activity which may impair the interests of this partnership enterprise.

Article 33 The distribution of profits or sharing of losses of the partnership enterprise shall follow the stipulations of the partnership agreement. If it is not stipulated or not expressly stipulated in the partnership agreement, a decision shall be made by the partners through negotiation. In case the negotiations fail, the distribution of profits or sharing of losses shall be made in proportion to the actual capital contributions made by the partners. If it is unable to determine the proportions of capital contributions, the profits or losses shall be distributed or shared equally by the partners.

It shall not be stipulated in any partnership agreement that all profits will be distributed to some of the partners or that some partners will bear all losses.

Article 34 According to the stipulation of the partnership agreement or the decision of all partners, the partners may increase or decrease their capital contributions to the partnership enterprise.

Article 35 A business manager hired by a partnership enterprise shall perform his duties within the scope authorized by the partnership enterprise.

Where a business manager hired by a partnership enterprise performs his duties beyond the scope authorized by the partnership enterprise, or if he causes any loss to the partnership enterprise because of his intentional or serious fault, he shall be liable for compensation.

Article 36 A partnership enterprise shall, in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations, establish an enterprise financial and accounting system.

Section 4 Relationship Between A Partnership Enterprise and Third Persons

Article 37 The restrictions of a partnership enterprise on the partners' execution of partnership affairs as well as on their right to represent the partnership enterprise in the face of outsiders shall not challenge any bona fide third party.

Article 38 A partnership enterprise shall pay for its debts with all of its properties.

Article 39 Where a partnership enterprise fails to settle any mature debt, the partners shall bear joint and several unlimited liabilities.

Article 40 Where the amount of payment made by a partner exceeds the loss sharing proportion as prescribed in Paragraph 1 in Article 33 of this Law because it (he) bears joint and several unlimited liabilities, it (he) has right to demand the other partners to make reimbursements.

Article 41 Where a partner incurs any debt irrelevant to the partnership enterprise, the relevant creditor shall not offset its credit against the debt it owe to the partnership enterprise, nor may it exercise the said partner's rights in the partnership enterprise by substituting this partner.

Article 42 If the partner's own properties are insufficient to pay off its debt irrelevant to the partnership enterprise, this partner may use the proceeds, which it (he) acquires from the partnership enterprise, to pay for the debt. The creditor may also plead the people's court to enforce the repayment of the debt by the said partner's property share in the partnership enterprise according to the law.

When the people's court enforces the repayment of the debt by the said partner's property share, it shall send a notice to all partners. The other partners have the preemptive right to the property share of the said partner. If the other partners do not purchase it, nor consent to assign it to others, a withdrawal settlement shall be made for this partner in accordance with Article 51 of this Law, or a settlement shall be made to decrease the property share of this partner correspondingly.

Section 5 Admission to and Withdrawal from Partnership

Article 43 The admission of a new partner shall, unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership agreement, be subject to an unanimous consent of all partners, and for which a written agreement shall be concluded.

When concluding an agreement on the admission to the partnership, the original partners shall faithfully inform the new partners of the business operation and financial status of the original partnership enterprise.

Article 44 A new partner admitted to a partnership enterprise shall enjoy the same rights and bear the same liabilities as the original partners. If the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, the said agreement shall prevail.

A new partner shall bear joint and several liabilities for the debts of the partnership enterprise incurred before it is admitted to a partnership enterprise.

Article 45 Where the term of operation of a partnership business has been set in the partnership agreement, a partner may, during the period of existence thereof, withdraw from partnership in any of the following cases:
(1) Any cause for withdrawal from partnership as stipulated in the partnership agreement occurs;
(2) All partners agree to the withdrawal;
(3) Any cause to make the said partner difficult to remain in the partnership occurs; or
(4) Other partners seriously violate their obligations as stipulated in the partnership agreement.

Article 46 Where a partnership agreement fails to stipulate the term of partnership, a partner may withdraw from the partnership, provided that the execution of the affairs of the partnership enterprise will not be affected, but it (he) shall inform the other partners 30 days prior to its (his) withdrawal.

Article 47 Where any partner withdraws from a partnership in violation of Articles 45 and 46, he shall compensate for the losses that he has incurred to the partnership enterprise.

Article 48 Where any partner is under any of the following circumstances, the said partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn naturally from the partnership:
(1) A natural person partner is deceased or declared deceased according to law;
(2)It (he) is insolvent;
(3)A partner as a legal person or any other organization whose business license is revoked, or who is ordered to close up for revocation, or who is declared bankrupt;
(4) A partner loses the relevant qualifications as required by law or as stipulated in the partnership agreement; or
(5) A partner's entire property share in the partnership business has been executed by the people's court.

For a partner who is determined as a person without civil capacity or with limited civil capacity according to law, he may be changed into a limited partner upon unanimous consent of the other parties and the general partnership enterprise shall be changed into a limited partnership enterprise in pursuance of law. For failure of unanimous consent of the other partners, this partner without civil capacity or with limited civil capacity shall withdraw from the partnership.

The withdrawal from partnership shall be take effect on the date when it is actually made.

Article 49 Where a partner is under any of the following circumstances, a resolution may be made to remove the said partner upon the unanimous consent of the other partners:
(1)Failing to perform the obligation to make capital contributions;
(2) Causing any loss to the partnership enterprise for intentional or serious wrongful act;
(3) Conducting any improper act in executing the partnership affairs; and
(4) Other causes as stipulated in the partnership agreement.

A written notice of the resolution on the removal of a partner shall be sent to the person who is removed. The removal shall take effect on the date when the person who is removed receives the removal notice, and the person who is removed shall withdraw from partnership.

Where the person who is removed challenges the removal resolution, it (he) may be initiate a lawsuit to be people's court within thirty days after receipt of the removal notice.

Article 50 Where a partner is deceased or declared deceased, the heir who enjoys the legitimate right to inherit the said partner's property share in a partnership enterprise shall, according to the stipulation of the partnership agreement or upon the unanimous consent of all partners, obtain the qualification for being a partner of the said partnership enterprise as of the date of succession.

Under any of the following circumstances, the partnership enterprise shall return the property share of the inherited partner to his heir:
(1)The heir is unwilling to become a partner;
(2)The heir has not obtained the qualifications of a partner as required in any law or as stipulated in the partnership agreement; or
(3)Any other circumstances as stipulated in the partnership agreement, under which the heir can not become a partner.

If the heir of the said partner is a person without civil capacity or with limited civil capacity, he may, upon unanimous consent of all partners, become a limited partner in accordance with the law, and the general partnership enterprise changes into a limited partnership enterprise. For failure of unanimous consent of all partners, the partnership enterprise shall return the property share of the inherited partner to this heir.

Article 51 When a partner withdraws from the partnership, the other partners shall, on the basis of the property status of the partnership enterprise at the time of withdrawal, make a settlement and return the property share to him. If he is liable to compensate the losses to the partnership, the amount of compensation shall be deducted from the aforesaid property share.

If there is any pending partnership affair at the time of withdrawal from partnership, the settlement shall not be made until it is finished.

Article 52 The measures for the return of property shares of partnership enterprise to a partner who withdraws from the partnership shall be stipulated in the partnership agreement or be decided by all partners. The return of property shares may be in money or in kind.

Article 53 A partner who withdraws from the partnership shall bear joint and several unlimited liabilities for the debts which have been incurred to the partnership enterprise before his withdrawal.

Article 54 When a partner withdraws from the partnership, if the partnership enterprise's properties are less than its debts, he shall share the losses in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 33 of this Law.

Section 6 Special General partnership Enterprises

Article 55 A professional service institution, which provides its clients with paid services on the basis of professional knowledge and special skills, may set up a special general partnership enterprise.

The term "special general partnership enterprise" refers to a general partnership enterprise which the partners bear liabilities in accordance with Article 57 of this Law.

A special general partnership enterprise is governed by the provisions of this Section. If any matter is not provided for in this Section, it shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 1 through 5 of this Chapter.

Article 56 The name of a special general partnership enterprise shall be indicated by the words "special general partnership".

Article 57 A partner or several partners shall bear unlimited liabilities or unlimited joint and several liabilities for the debts incurred to the partnership enterprise because of his (their) intentional or serious wrongful act.

All partners shall bear joint and several liabilities for the debts incurred by any partner(s) to the partnership enterprise because of his (their) intentional or serious wrongful act, and for other debts of the partnership enterprise.

Article 58 If the debts incurred by any partner(s) to the partnership enterprise because of his (their) intentional or serious wrongful act are paid with the properties of the partnership enterprise, the said partner(s) shall, according to the stipulations of the partnership agreement, be liable to compensate for the losses to the partnership enterprise.

Article 59 A special general partnership enterprise shall prepare a practicing risk fund and buy an occupational insurance.

The practicing risk fund shall be used for repaying the debts incurred by the partners during their practices. It shall be managed by opening a separate bank account. The concrete management measures shall be formulated by the State Council.

Chapter III Limited Partnership Enterprises

Article 60 A limited partnership enterprises and its partners shall be governed by the provisions of this Chapter. If any matter is not covered in this Chapter, it shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 1 through 5 of Chapter II of this Law on general partnership enterprises and their partners.

Article 61 A limited partnership enterprise shall be established by not less than 2 but not more than 50 partners, unless it is otherwise provided by law.

A limited partnership enterprise shall have at least one general partner.

Article 62 The name of a limited partnership enterprise shall be indicated by the words "limited partnership".

Article 63 A partnership agreement shall not only meet the provisions of Article 18 of this Law, but also state the following items:
(1)The name and address of the general partners and limited partners;
(2)The conditions which the partners to execute the partnership affairs shall meet, and the procedures for selecting such partners;
(3)The limits on the power of partners to execute the partnership affairs, and the measures for handling their breach of contract;
(4)The conditions for the removal of partners to execute the partnership affairs, and the procedures for replacing them by new ones;
(5)The conditions and procedures for the admission and withdrawal of limited partners, and other relevant liabilities; and
(6)The procedures for the mutual conversion of limited partners and general partners.

Article 64 A limited partner may make capital contributions in money, in kind, or intellectual property right, land use right or other properties.

No limited partner may make capital contributions in labor services.

Article 65 A limited partner shall make full payment of the capital contributions within the time limit as stipulated in the partnership agreement. If it fails to do so, it shall be obliged to make up the payment and shall bear the liabilities for breach of contract to the other partners.

Article 66 The registration items of a limited partnership enterprise shall specify the name of each limited partner, and the amount of capital contributions which he subscribes to.

Article 67 The partnership affairs of a limited partnership enterprise shall be executed by the general partners. The partners to execute the partnership affairs may request for determining their remunerations and the way of obtaining the remunerations in the partnership agreement.

Article 68 A limited partner may not execute the partnership affairs, nor may he represent the limited partnership enterprise before outsiders.

The following acts of a limited partner shall not be deemed as execution of partnership affairs:
(1) To participate in making a decision about the admission or withdraw of a general partner;
(2) To put forward a proposal on the business management of the enterprise;
(3) To participate in choosing an accounting firm to handle the audit business of the limited partnership enterprise;
(4) To obtain a financial report of the limited partnership enterprise upon audit;
(5) To consult the account books of the limited partnership enterprise and other financial materials which concern the limited partner's own interests;
(6) To file claims or lodge a lawsuit against the liable partner(s) when this limited partner's interests in the limited partnership enterprise are impaired;
(7) When the partner(s) responsible for executing the partnership affairs is (are) fails to exercise his (their rights), to urge them to exercise their rights or initiate a lawsuit for protecting the interests of this enterprise; and
(8) To offer a guaranty for this enterprise in accordance with the law.

Article 69 No limited partnership enterprise may distribute all profits to some of the partners, unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership agreement.

Article 70 A limited partner may make transactions with the limited partnership enterprise to which it (he) belongs, unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership agreement.

Article 71 A limited partner may, solely or jointly with others, operate a business which is competing with this limited partnership enterprise, unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership agreement.

Article 72 A limited partner may put its share of properties of the partnership enterprise in pledge, unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership agreement.

Article 73 A limited partner may, according to the stipulations of the partnership agreement, assign it share of properties of the limited partnership enterprise to a non-partner, but he shall notify the other partners 30 days in advance.

Article 74 If the limited partner's own properties are insufficient to pay off his debt irrelevant to the partnership enterprise, this partner may use the proceeds which he acquires from the limited partnership enterprise to pay for the debt. The creditor may also plead the people's court to enforce the repayment of the debt with the said limited partner's property share in the partnership enterprise according to the law.

When the people's court enforces the repayment of the debt with the said limited partner's property share, it shall send a notice to all partners. The other partners have the preemptive right to the property share of the said partner under the same conditions.

Article 75 Where merely limited partners are left in a limited partnership enterprise, this limited partnership enterprise shall be dissolved. Where merely general partners are left in a limited partnership enterprise, this limited partnership enterprise shall be changed into a general partnership enterprise.

Article 76 Where it is reasonable for a third person to believe a limited partner as a general partner and make a transaction with him, this limited partner shall bear the same liabilities for this transaction as a general partner shall do.

Where a limited partner makes, without authorization, a transaction with any other person and causes any losses to the limited partnership enterprise or to other partners, he shall be liable for compensation.

Article 77 A new limited partner shall, to the extent of the amount of capital contribution he subscribes to, bear liabilities for the debts incurred to the limited partnership enterprise prior to his admission.

Article 78 Where any limited partner is under any of the circumstances as listed in Items (1), (3) and (5) of Paragraph 1 of Article 48 of this Law, the said limited partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn naturally from the partnership.

Article 79 Where a natural person as a limited partner loses his civil capacity during the period of existence of a limited partnership enterprise, the other partners shall not require him to withdraw from the partnership for this reason.

Article 80 When a natural-person limited partner is deceased or declared deceased, or when a legal person or any other organization limited partner is terminated, his heir or its successor to the rights may obtain the qualifications of the limited partner in the limited partnership enterprise.

Article 81 After a limited partner withdraws from the partnership, it (he) shall, to the extent of the properties it (he) takes back from the limited partnership enterprise at the time of withdrawal, bear the liabilities for the debts incurred to the limited partnership enterprise prior to its (his) withdrawal.

Article 82 Unless it is otherwise stipulated in the partnership, the change of a general partner into a limited partner or the change of a limited partner into a general partner shall be subject to unanimous consent of all partners.

Article 83 Where a limited partner is changed into a general partner, it (he) shall bear joint and several unlimited liabilities for the debts incurred to the limited partnership enterprise during the period when it (he) is a limited partner.

Article 84 Where a general partner is changed into a limited partner, it (he) shall bear joint and several unlimited liabilities for the debts incurred to the partnership enterprise during the period when it (he) is a general partner.


Chapter IV Dissolution and Liquidation of A Partnership Enterprise

Article 85 A partnership enterprise shall be dissolved under any of the following circumstances:
(1) The term of partnership expires and the partners decide not to operate it any longer;
(2) Any of the dissolution causes as stipulated in the partnership agreement occurs;
(3) All partners make a decision to dissolve it;
(4) 30 days have lapsed since the number of partners fails to reach the quorum;
(5) The partnership aim as stipulated in the partnership agreement has been realized or is unable to be realized;
(6) Its business license is revoked, or it is ordered to close up or to be revoked; or
(7) Other reasons as provided for by any law or administrative regulation.

Article 86 When a partnership is dissolved, it shall be liquidated by liquidators.

All partners shall act as liquidators. Upon consent of more than half of all partners, one or several partners or third persons may, after the occurrence of the cause for the dissolution of the partnership enterprise, be designated or entrusted to act as liquidators.

With 15 days after the occurrence of the cause for the dissolution of the partnership enterprise, the partners or other interest parties may apply to the people's court to designate liquidators.

Article 87 The liquidators shall handle the following affairs during the process of liquidation:
(1) To sort out the properties of the partnership enterprise, and prepare the balance sheets and the property list of the said business;
(2) To handle the pending affairs of the partnership enterprise that are related to the liquidation;
(3) To pay up taxes payable;
(4) To settle credits and debts;
(5) To handle the remaining properties after the partnership enterprise repays its debts; and
(6) To participate in lawsuits or arbitrations on behalf of the partnership enterprise.

Article 88 The liquidators shall, within 10 days after a decision of dissolution is made, inform the creditors of the relevant matters and publish an announcement on a newspaper within 60 days. A creditor shall, within 30 days from the day when it receives a notice or within 45 days from the announcement date if it fails to receive a notice, declare its credits to the liquidators.

When a creditor declares its credits, it shall state the relevant matters of the credits and provide supporting materials. The liquidators shall record the credits.

During the process of liquidation, the partnership enterprise still exists but it shall not carry out any business activities irrelevant to the liquidation.

Article 89 After paying off the liquidation expenses, wages of employees, social insurance premiums and legal indemnities, the outstanding taxes and the debts with the properties of the partnership enterprise, the residual properties may be distributed in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 33 of this Law.

Article 90 After the liquidation is ended, the liquidators shall prepare a liquidation report. Within 15 days after the liquidation report is affixed with the signatures and seals of all partners, it shall be submitted to the enterprise registration organ for deregistration of the partnership enterprise.

Article 91 After the deregistration of a partnership enterprise, the former general partners shall still bear joint and several liabilities for the debts incurred during the existence period of the partnership enterprise.

Article 92 Where a partnership enterprise is unable to meet its mature debts, the creditors may apply to the people's court for bankruptcy liquidation or may demand the general partners to make repayments.

Where a partnership enterprise is declared bankrupt, the general partners shall still bear joint and several liabilities for the debts of the partnership enterprise.

Chapter V Legal Liabilities

Article 93 Anyone who obtains the registration of a partnership enterprise by violating this Law, such as providing false documents or taking other fraudulent means, shall be ordered to make a correction by the enterprise registration organ and shall be fined not less than 5, 000 yuan but not more than 50, 000 yuan. If the circumstance is serious, the enterprise registration shall be revoked and a fine of not less than 50, 000 yuan but not more than 200, 000 yuan shall be given.

Article 94 Where a partnership enterprise fails to indicate his name with the words "general partnership" or "special partnership" or "limited partnership" as in violation of this Law, it shall be ordered to make a correction by the enterprise registration organ and shall be fined not less than 2, 000 yuan but not more than 10, 000 yuan.

Article 95 Anyone who has not obtained a business license but is engaging in partnership business operations in the name of a partnership enterprise or branch of a partnership enterprise as in violation of this Law shall be ordered to stop such business operations by the enterprise registration organ and shall be fined not less than 5, 000 yuan but not more than 50, 000 yuan.

Where a partnership enterprise fails to modify the registration for the change of any registration item as in violation of this Law, it shall be ordered to go through the registration formalities. If it fails to do so, it shall be fined not less than 2, 000 yuan but not more than 20, 000 yuan.

Where any registration item of a partnership enterprise changes, if the partners executing the partnership affairs fail to timely go through the registration modification formalities, it shall compensate for any loss incurred therefrom to the partnership enterprise, other partners or bona fide third persons.

Article 96 Where any partner executing the partnership affairs or any practitioner of a partnership enterprise, by taking the advantage of his position, usurps any benefit which should attribute to the partnership enterprise, occupy any property of the partnership enterprise by other illegal means, it (he) shall return the benefit or property to the partnership enterprise. If its (his) act causes any loss to the partnership enterprise or to other partners, it (he) shall bear the compensation liabilities.

Article 97 Where any partner, with no unanimous consent of all partners, handles by himself any affair which shall be subject to the unanimous consent of all partners under this Law or according to this partnership agreement, if his (its) act causes any loss to the partnership enterprise or to other partners, it (he) shall bear compensation liabilities.

Article 98 Where any partner, who does not have the power to execute the affairs of the partnership affairs, illegally executes such affairs, if its (his) act causes any losses to the partnership enterprise or to other partners, it (he) shall bear compensation liabilities.

Article 99 Where any partner engages in any business competing with this partnership enterprise or makes transactions with this partnership enterprise as in violation of the provisions of this Law or the stipulations of the partnership agreement, the relevant proceeds shall attribute to the partnership enterprise. If any loss is caused to the partnership enterprise or to other partners, it (he) shall bear compensation liabilities.

Article 100 Where any liquidator fails to submit a liquidation report to the enterprise registration organ as required by this law, or submit a liquidation report which conceals or omits any important fact, he shall be ordered to make a correction by the enterprise registration organ. The expenses and losses incurred therefrom shall be paid and compensated by the liquidator.

Article 101 Where any liquidator seeks any illegal income or usurps any property of a partnership enterprise during the process of executing the liquidation affairs, he shall return the said income or property to the partnership enterprise. Where any loss is caused to the partnership enterprise or to other partners, he shall bear compensation liabilities.

Article 102 Where any liquidator impairs the interests of creditors as in violation of this Law, such as concealing or transferring any property of a partnership enterprise, or making any false record in the balance sheet or in the property list, or distributing properties prior to the settlement of debts, he shall bear compensation liabilities.

Article 103 Where any partner breaches the agreement of partnership, it (he) shall be liable for breach of contract.

Where there is any dispute between the partners over the execution of the partnership agreement, the partners may settle it through negotiations or mediation. If they are unwilling or fail to settle it through negotiations or medication, they may apply to the arbitration institution for arbitration according to the arbitration clause in the partnership agreement or under the written arbitration agreement concluded afterwards. If there is no arbitration clause in the partnership agreement and if they fail to reach any written arbitration agreement afterwards, they may initiate a lawsuit in the people's court.

Article 104 Where any of the functionaries of the relevant administrative organs impairs the legitimate rights and interests of the partnership enterprise as in violation of this law, such as abusing his power, seeking private benefits, accepting bribes, he shall be given an administrative sanction.

Article 105 Anyone who commits any act in violation of this Law shall bear criminal liabilities.

Article 106 Anyone who violates this Law shall bear civil compensation liabilities and pay the monetary penalties or fines. If his property is insufficient to pay the said items simultaneously, he shall first bear civil compensation liabilities.

Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions

Article 107 Where a non-enterprise professional service institution takes the form of partnership in accordance with the relevant law, the liabilities of its partners shall be governed by the provisions of this Law on the liabilities of the partners of a special general partnership enterprise.

Article 108 The administrative measures for the establishment of partnership enterprises by foreign enterprises or individuals shall be formulated by the State Council.

Article 109 This Law shall come into force as of June 1, 2007.
Comments
China's Partnership Enterprise Law Revised
China Law & Practice. London: Mar 2007.  pg. 1
Subjects: Partnerships,  Limited partnerships,  Regulation,  Organizational structure
Classification Codes 2320,  4310,  9179
Locations: China
Document types: General Information
Section: 2
Publication title: China Law & Practice. London: Mar 2007.  pg. 1
Source type: Periodical
ISSN: 10126724
ProQuest document ID: 1252121871
Text Word Count 1243
Document URL: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1252121871&sid=4&Fmt=3&c lientId=24689&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Abstract (Document Summary)

Over the last 20 years, China has implemented a robust regulatory framework for business entities including companies, sole proprietorships and partnerships, as well as entities specifically designed for foreign investment such as equity and cooperative joint ventures and wholly foreign-owned enterprises. As part of a broader updating of laws governing business entities, including the revision of the Company Law at the beginning of 2006, the Partnership Enterprise Law (OU"[mu](R)) was significantly amended to China's business environment. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
Full Text (1243   words)
Copyright Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC Mar 2007

Over the last 20 years, China has implemented a robust regulatory framework for business entities including companies, sole proprietorships and partnerships, as well as entities specifically designed for foreign investment such as equity and cooperative joint ventures and wholly foreign-owned enterprises. As part of a broader updating of laws governing business entities, including the revision of the Company Law at the beginning of 2006, the Partnership Enterprise Law (OU"[mu](R)) was significantly amended to China's business environment.

By Paul McKenzie and Fraser Mendel, Morrison & Foerster LLP

The Partnership Enterprise Law, originally promulgated on February 23, 1997, was amended on August 27 2006 by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC). The amended Partnership Enterprise Law (the Revised Partnership Law), will come into effect on June 1 2007.

The Partnership Enterprise Law attracted limited attention when promulgated in 1997 due to its inflexibility - only natural persons could be partners, the partnership was taxed as an enterprise and the partners themselves were taxed on their income, a partnership enterprise did not enjoy limited liability, and the implications of the bankruptcy of a partnership were unclear. The Revised Partnership Law addresses these problems, and also provides several additional advantages. Under the revised law, a range of legal entities are eligible to be partners, a degree of limited liability can be achieved, and there are clear rules for the handling of bankruptcy. The law also confirms that partnerships are eligible to be taxed on a pass-through basis. In addition, the Revised Partnership Law adds two new forms of partnership to the original general partnership enterprise: the special general partnership enterprise (SGP) and the limited liability partnership enterprise (LP). It is widely anticipated that the ability to establish SGPs will promote the development of professional service firms in China, while the availability of LP structures will enhance the development of onshore investment funds, consistent with the PRC government's longstanding goal to cultivate the growth of venture capital and private equity in China.

Important Amendments

Nature of Partners. While the original Partnership Law only permitted natural persons to be partners, Article 2 of the Revised Partnership Law will allow any legal entity to be a partner. Article 3 provides a notable exception in that the Revised Partnership Law prohibits wholly state-funded companies, SOEs, publicly-listed companies, institutions for public welfare, and social organizations from being general partners, although they can participate as limited partners.

Tax Classification. Article 6 of the Revised Partnership Law confirms that partnership enterprises are exempt from corporate-level income tax. Pass-through tax treatment twinned with limited liability is a key feature of limited partnerships established in offshore jurisdictions like the Cayman Islands for pooled investment funds.

Foreign Participation. Another significant development is that the Revised Partnership Law specifically contemplates foreign entities and individuals participating in partnership enterprises in China. Implementation of this provision of the law is subject to further administrative measures being issued by the State Council, and it remains to be seen whether and when such measures will be issued.

Bankruptcy. Another notable addition is Article 92, which provides a simple set of bankruptcy procedures which reflect the principles and procedures of the newly promulgated Bankruptcy Law. This allows a partnership enterprise's creditors to apply to a People's Court for bankruptcy liquidation or to demand repayment of the debts from the general partners personally. If a partnership enterprise is declared bankrupt, the general partners will bear joint and several liability for all debts of the partnership enterprise.

Special General Partnership Enterprises

One of the most notable changes to the Revised Partnership Law is the introduction of special general partnership enterprises (SGPs). Under Article 55, these permit "professional service providers who provides clients with paid services on the basis of professional knowledge and special skills" to organize themselves as SGPs, which are subject to distinct rules governing the liabilities of participating partners. Organizationally, an SGP is required to include the term "Special General Partnership" ("Ay,'O(R)O") in its enterprise name.

Article 57 provides the key liability provisions for SGPs. If one or more partners commit an intentional or grossly wrongful act that results in liability on the part of the SGP, those partners bear unlimited joint and several liability. In connection with other types of liability on the part of the SGP, all partners bear joint and several liability. Additionally, Article 58 provides that if an SGP incurs liabilities due to the intentional or grossly wrongful act of one or more of the partners, if provided in the partnership agreement those partners shall be liable to compensate the losses of the partnership enterprise.

One additional unique aspect of an SGP is that Article 59 requires it to allocate a proportion of its revenue to a risk fund and to purchase professional liability insurance. The risk fund is to be used to repay the debts incurred by the partners during their practice. The SGP is required to open a separate bank account to administer these funds. The State Council is to issue detailed implementing measures for the handling of such risk funds.

Limited Partnership Enterprises

The second major structural change in the Revised Partnership Law is the creation of Limited Partnership enterprises (LPs), which is widely anticipated to provide a vehicle for more flexible structuring of investment structures. The new LP form is seen as permitting greater structuring flexibility by permitting the combination of institutions or individuals who have management experience or R&D capabilities, and those with capital.

Organizationally, Article 61 requires an LP to have at least one general partner and one limited partner. The total number of partners cannot exceed 50. Article 62 requires LPs to include the term "Limited Partnership" (""-O") in their enterprise name.

General partners have managerial power of an LP but also bear unlimited joint and several liability for the debts of the LP. Limited partners' liability is limited to the amount of their capital contributions. The Revised Partnership Law includes detailed provisions for the protection of minority and limited partners. Article 68 permits limited partners to make capital contributions in money, in kind, and of intellectual property, land use rights, or other proprietary rights. However, a partner's services cannot be counted towards capital contributions. Limited partners are allowed to participate in certain actions, including making decisions about the admission or withdrawal of a general partner, making a proposal for the management of the LP, selecting the partnership's certified public accountant, reviewing the financial reports of the partnership, and acting as a guarantor to the partnership as allowed by other laws.

A limited partner's interest in the partnership is assignable and may be pledged as security in relation to other transactions, unless otherwise restricted in the partnership agreement. Likewise, a limited partner can transfer its interest in an LP to a third party simply upon 30 days' notice to the other partners.

Conclusion

Overall the Revised Partnership Law holds the promise of greater flexibility in structuring ventures in China, even though various implementing measures remain to be drafted. We anticipate that general partnerships will become more commonplace now that all forms of legal entity can be partners and partnerships clearly have flow-through tax treatment. More importantly, we would expect to see strong growth in professional services firms due to the SPG structure, while the availability of LPs ought to permit the use of true pooled investment fund financing models in connection with onshore private equity and venture capital financings; something of particular advantage to both domestic and foreign investors.


PRC, Partnership Enterprise Law (Revised) 

Ref no: 2330/97.02.23 

(Passed by the 24th Session of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress on 23 February 1997. Revised by the 23rd Session of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress on 27 August 2006 and effective as of 1 June 2007.) 

PART ONE: GENERAL PRINCIPLES 

Article 1: This Law is formulated for the purposes of regulating the conduct of partnership enterprises, protecting the legal rights and interests of partnership enterprises, its partners, creditors, safeguarding social and economic order, and promoting the development of the socialist market economy. 

Article 2: A partnership enterprise referred to in this Law shall mean a general partnership enterprise or a limited partnership enterprise that is established by a natural person, legal person or any other organisation in China pursuant to this Law. 

A general partnership enterprise is formed by general partners where every partner shall be jointly and severally liable without limit for the debts of the partnership enterprise. Where the law herein provides specifically for how liability should be borne by general partners, such provisions shall then prevail. 

A limited partnership enterprise is formed by general partners and limited partners where every general partner shall be jointly and severally liable without limit for the debts of the partnership enterprise and limited partners shall be liable for the debts of the partnership enterprise up to their subscribed capital contribution. 

Article 3: Wholly State-owned and wholly State-funded companies, State-owned enterprises, listed companies and charitable institutions and social organisations shall not be general partners. 

Article 4: A partnership agreement shall be concluded unanimously by all partners and be put in writing in accordance with the law. 

Article 5: The conclusion of a partnership agreement and the establishment of a partnership enterprise must abide by the principles of voluntariness, equality, fairness, honesty and trustworthiness. 

Article 6: Every partner in a partnership enterprise shall respectively contribute income tax for the partnership enterprise's production and business income and any other income pursuant to the relevant tax regulations of the State.

Article 7: A partnership enterprise and its partners shall comply with all laws and administrative regulations, uphold social morality and commercial ethics and bear social responsibility. 

Article 8: All lawful property and interests of a partnership enterprise and its partners shall be afforded protection under the law. 

Article 9: The establishment of a partnership enterprise shall be by way of application with the enterprise registration authority through the submission of an application form together with the partnership agreement and the identification documents of the partners, etc. 

Where the scope of business of the partnership enterprise includes projects that require approval pursuant to provisions in laws and administrative regulations prior to registration, these projects must first be approved and the approval documents must be submitted at the time of the registration. 

Article 10: Where the submitted registration application materials are complete and comply with the statutory format, and the enterprise registration authority is able to conduct registration formalities on-the-spot, the registration formalities shall be conducted and a business licence shall be issued. 

Other than the circumstances in the preceding paragraph, the enterprise registration authority shall decide whether to register an application within 20 days from the date of receipt of the application. Where registration is granted, a business licence shall be issued; where registration is not granted, a written reply shall be issued with reasons stated. 

Article 11: The date of issue of a partnership enterprise business licence shall be the date of establishment of the partnership enterprise.

Partners must not engage in partnership business in the name of the partnership enterprise before a partnership business licence is obtained. 

Article 12: Where a partnership enterprise proposes to establish a branch, an application to register must be made with the enterprise registration authority at the location of the proposed branch and a business licence must be obtained. 

Article 13: Where there is a change to any registration matter of a partnership enterprise, the partners conducting the affairs of the partnership shall, within 15 days from the date of the decision to change or the date of occurrence of the changed event, apply to the enterprise registration authority to complete change registration formalities. 

 PART TWO: GENERAL PARTNERSHIP ENTERPRISE 

Section One - Establishment of Partnership Enterprise 

Article 14: The following criteria must be satisfied for a partnership enterprise to be established: 

  1. there are two or more partners; where a partner is a natural person, that person must possess the capacity for civil conduct;

  2. there is a partnership agreement in writing;

  3. the partners have subscribed or made capital contribution;

  4. the partnership enterprise has a name and a premise for business activity; and

  5. any other condition stipulated by the laws and administrative regulations.

Article 15: The words “general partnership" must be included in the name of a partnership enterprise. 

Article 16: Capital contribution by partners may take the form of cash, in-kind benefits, intellectual property rights, land use rights or any other form of property rights or take the form of labour services. 

Where capital contribution that takes the form of in-kind benefits, intellectual property, land use rights or any other form of property rights requires valuation, all the partners may determine valuation through negotiation or appoint a statutory valuation organisation to conduct valuation. 

Where capital contribution is in the form of labour services, valuation shall be determined through negotiations by all the partners and the negotiated value shall be stated in the partnership agreement. 

Article 17: Partners shall contribute capital pursuant to the method, amount and period of capital contribution stipulated in the partnership agreement. 

Where capital contribution takes the form of non-cash property, and property transfer formalities are required to be completed pursuant to the provisions of laws and administrative regulations, such property transfer formalities must be completed pursuant to the law. 

Article 18: A partnership agreement shall state the following matters: 

  1. the name and principal business premises of the partnership enterprise;

  2. objective and scope of the business partnership;

  3. name and address of each partner;

  4. method, amount and period of capital contribution of each partner;

  5. profit and loss distribution method;

  6. the conduct of partnership affairs;

  7. admission and withdrawal;

  8. dispute resolution method;

  9. dissolution and liquidation of the partnership enterprise; and

  10. liability for default under the agreement.

Article 19: The partnership agreement shall be effective when all partners have signed and affixed their seal on the agreement. All partners shall enjoy rights and shall fulfil obligations under the partnership agreement. 

Unless the partnership agreement provides otherwise, any revision or supplementation to the partnership agreement must have the unanimous agreement of all the partners. 

Matters that have not been provided or are not clearly provided in the partnership agreement shall be decided by the partners through negotiation; where negotiation is unsuccessful, the matter shall be dealt with pursuant to the provisions in this Law and other relevant laws and administrative regulations. 

Section Two - Partnership Enterprise Property 

Article 20: All capital contribution by the partners, profits and any other property that is lawfully obtained in the name of the partnership enterprise shall be deemed as property of the partnership enterprise. 

Article 21: Unless this Law stipulates otherwise, a partner must not request for the division of assets in a partnership enterprise prior to liquidation proceedings of the partnership enterprise. 

Partners must not privately transfer or dispose assets of the partnership enterprise prior to liquidation proceedings of the partnership enterprise, and the partnership enterprise shall not use this as a reason to defeat bona fide third party intentions. 

Article 22: Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, the transfer of a partner's share in property of the partnership enterprise to another party other than a partner, whether in full or in part, must have the unanimous consent of all the other partners.

Where a partner's share to property of the partnership enterprise is transferred between partners in full or in part, all the other partners must be notified of the transfer. 

Article 23: Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, all partners shall have a preferential right to purchase under the same terms of transfer when a partner's share to property in the partnership enterprise is proposed for transfer to another party other than a partner. 

Article 24: After the transferee obtains a share of the partnership enterprise property from a partner, the transferee shall become a partner to the partnership enterprise once the partnership agreement is revised; and the transferee shall enjoy rights and shall fulfil obligations under this Law and the revised partnership agreement. 

Article 25: Where a pledge is created over a partner's share in property of the partnership enterprise, the unanimous consent of all other partners must be obtained; where no unanimous consent is obtained, the act shall be deemed invalid, and the creator of the pledge shall be liable for any compensation under the law where a bona fide third party has suffered loss. 

Section Three - Conduct of Partnership Affairs 

Article 26: Partners shall have equal rights in the conduct of partnership affairs. 

Pursuant to the provisions of the partnership agreement or upon the decision of all the partners, one or more partners may be entrusted to represent the partnership enterprise to conduct partnership affairs. 

Where a legal person or other organisation is the representing partner, its appointed representative shall conduct the partnership affairs. 

Article 27: Where one or more partners are entrusted to conduct partnership affairs pursuant to the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 26, other partners shall no longer conduct partnership affairs. 

Partners that do not conduct partnership affairs shall have the right to supervise the conduct of partnership affairs. 

Article 28: Where one or several partners are entrusted to conduct partnership affairs, they shall regularly report to the other partners on the status of the partnership affairs conducted, the business results and the financial status of the partnership enterprise. Gains that are derived from the conduct of partnership affairs shall belong to the partnership enterprise and any expenses or losses incurred shall be borne by the partnership enterprise. 

For the purpose of understanding the business results and financial status of the partnership enterprise, partners shall have the right to inspect account books and other financial materials of the partnership enterprise. 

Article 29: Where partnership affairs are separately conducted by several partners, a partner may object to the partnership affairs conducted by another partner. Where an objection is raised, the conduct of such partnership affairs shall be suspended. Where a dispute arises, the matter shall be decided pursuant to the provisions of Article 30. 

Where a partner entrusted to conduct partnership affairs fails to conduct partnership affairs according to provisions in the partnership agreement or a decision of all the partners, the other partners may decide to revoke the entrustment. 

Article 30: Partners shall resolve all matters relevant to the partnership enterprise by vote pursuant to the method of voting stipulated under the partnership agreement. Where the partnership agreement fails to provide or where the provision is unclear, each partner shall have one vote and a resolution shall be passed by a simple majority. 

Where this Law provides for other methods of voting in respect of the partnership enterprise, such other provisions shall prevail. 

Article 31: Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, the following partnership enterprise matters must have the unanimous approval of all the partners: 

  1. change in the name of the partnership enterprise;

  2. change in the scope of business or the principal business premises of the partnership enterprise;

  3. disposal of immovable property of the partnership enterprise;

  4. transfer or disposal of intellectual property rights and other property rights of the partnership enterprise;

  5. provision of guarantee in the name of the partnership enterprise for others;

  6. appointment of persons other than the partners as the business management personnel of the partnership enterprise.

Article 32: Partners must not engage in businesses that compete with the partnership enterprise whether on their own or in cooperation with others. 

Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise or all the partners of a partnership enterprise unanimously agree, a partner must not engage in transactions with the partnership enterprise. 

Partners of the partnership enterprise must not engage in activities which harm the interests of the partnership enterprise. 

Article 33: Distribution of profits and losses of a partnership enterprise shall be made pursuant to provisions in the partnership agreement. Where the partnership agreement does not or fails to provide for the distribution of profits and losses of a partnership enterprise clearly, the partners shall decide upon the matter by negotiation. Where negotiation is unsuccessful, the profits and losses shall be distributed according to the ratio of actual capital contribution; where the ratio of capital contribution cannot be determined, the profits and losses shall be divided among the partners equally. 

A partnership agreement must not provide that all profits are to be distributed to only some partners or that all losses are to be borne by only some partners. 

Article 34: Partners may, pursuant to the provisions of the partnership agreement or upon the decision of all the partners, increase or reduce the capital contribution to the partnership enterprise. 

Article 35: Business management personnel that are employed by the partnership enterprise shall perform their duties within their scope of authority. 

Where the business management personnel acts beyond the scope of authority, or in performance of duties intentionally or negligently causes the partnership enterprise to suffer loss, the business management personnel shall be liable for compensation pursuant to the law. 

Article 36: A partnership enterprise shall establish an enterprise finance and accounting system pursuant to the provisions of the laws and administrative regulations. 

Section Four - Partnership Enterprise and Third Party Relationships 

Article 37: Where the partnership enterprise restricts a partner's conduct of partnership affairs, including the partner's right of representing the partnership enterprise in external dealings, the restrictions shall not be used to defeat a bona fide third party. 

Article 38: All partnership enterprise property shall first be used to repay debts of the partnership enterprise. 

Article 39: Where a partnership enterprise is unable to repay debts which are due, the liability of the partners shall be unlimited jointly and severally. 

Article 40: A partner shall have the right to seek recourse from other partners where the partner's total amount of repayment exceeds the ratio of loss distribution stipulated in the first paragraph of Article 33 due to the partner having to bear unlimited joint and several liability. 

Article 41: Where a partner owes debts which are unrelated to the partnership enterprise, the relevant creditors shall not use their creditor rights to set-off debts that are owed to the partnership enterprise, and shall not subrogate the partner's exercisable rights in the partnership enterprise. 

Article 42: Where a partner does not have sufficient property to repay its debts which are unrelated to the partnership enterprise, the partner may use its share of gains distributed by the partnership enterprise for repayment; creditors may also apply to the People's Court to enforce repayment by the partner using the partner's share to partnership enterprise property. 

Where the People's Court orders for an enforcement of a partner's share in partnership enterprise property, all other partners of the partnership enterprise shall be notified accordingly and they shall have a preferential right of purchase; where the other partners do not purchase and also do not consent to the transfer of the partner's share of the property, the other partners shall conduct a withdrawal settlement for the said partner pursuant to the provisions of Article 51 or reduce the said partner's corresponding share in the property. 

Section Five - Admission and Withdrawal 

Article 43: Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, the admission of a new partner is subject to the unanimous consent of all the partners and an admission agreement must be concluded in writing pursuant to the law. 

When concluding the admission agreement, the existing partners must inform the new partner about the business results and financial status of the partnership enterprise truthfully.

Article 44: A new partner shall enjoy the same rights and bear the same liabilities as existing partners. Where the partnership agreement provides otherwise, such provisions shall prevail. 

A new partner shall bear unlimited liability jointly and severally for debts of the partnership enterprise that were incurred prior to the partner's admission. 

Article 45: A partner may withdraw from the partnership during the partnership period stipulated in the partnership agreement under any of the following circumstances: 

  1. occurrence of an event stipulated in the partnership agreement that triggers partnership withdrawal;

  2. upon the unanimous consent of all the partners;

  3. occurrence of an event that renders circumstances difficult for the partner to continue with the partnership; or

  4. a major violation of an obligation stipulated in the partnership agreement by any other partner.

Article 46: Where a partnership agreement does not specify the partnership period, a partner may withdraw from the partnership provided that the resignation does not adversely affect the partnership enterprise's conduct of affairs, but should give all the other partners 30 days notice in advance. 

Article 47: Where a withdrawing partner violates the provisions of Article 45 and Article 46, the partner shall compensate for the losses incurred by the partnership enterprise from the violation. 

Article 48: A partner shall be removed from the partnership automatically under any of the following circumstances: 

  1. the death of a natural person partner or a natural person partner is declared deceased pursuant to the law;

  2. the partner has lost the ability to repay the debts;

  3. the revocation of the business licence of the partner that is a legal person or any other organisation, or, the said legal person or organisation has been ordered to close down, be revoked or declared bankrupt;

  4. the partner does not possess or no longer possesses the relevant required prerequisites provided under the laws or the partnership agreement; or

  5. all property belonging to the partner in the partnership enterprise has been enforced by the People's Court.

Where a partner is deemed by the law to have no capacity or limited capacity for civil conduct, the partner may be converted to a limited partner upon the unanimous consent of the other partners, and the general partnership enterprise shall be converted to a limited partnership enterprise pursuant to the law. Where there is no unanimous consent among the other partners, the partner with no capacity or limited capacity for civil conduct shall be removed from the partnership. 

The effective date of a partnership removal shall be the date when an actual event that triggers removal occurred. 

Article 49: Under any of the following circumstances and upon unanimous consent by all other partners, a resolution may be passed to remove a partner from the partnership: 

  1. where the partner has not fulfilled its capital contribution obligation;

  2. where the partner has intentionally or negligently caused loss to the partnership enterprise;

  3. where the partner has acted improperly while conducting partnership affairs; or

  4. where an event stipulated in the partnership agreement has occurred.

A partner that has been removed from the partnership shall be notified of the resolution for removal. The removal shall be effective from the date when the partner to be removed receives the removal notification and the partner shall be removed from the partnership. 

Where a partner who is removed objects to the resolution for removal, the partner may file for legal proceedings with the People's Court within 30 days from the date when the removal notification was received. 

Article 50: After the death of a partner or the partner has been declared deceased under the law, the lawful successor with a right of succession to the partner's share of property in the partnership enterprise shall, pursuant to provisions in the partnership agreement or upon unanimous consent of all partners to the partnership enterprise, succeed as a partner to the partnership enterprise with effect from the date of succession. 

The partnership enterprise shall return the deceased partner's share of property to the successor under any of the following circumstances:

  1. where the successor is unwilling to become a partner;

  2. where laws or the partnership agreement provide that a partner must possess the relevant prerequisites to be admitted as a partner and the successor is not qualified thereunder; or

  3. where the successor falls under any circumstance stipulated in the partnership agreement whereby a person cannot act as a partner.

Where the successor to the deceased partner has no capacity or limited capacity for civil conduct, the successor may become a limited partner upon the unanimous consent of all the partners, and the general partnership enterprise shall be converted to a limited partnership enterprise pursuant to the law. Where there is no unanimous consent from all the partners, the partnership enterprise shall return the deceased partner's share of property to the successor. 

Article 51: Where a partner withdraws from a partnership enterprise, the other partners and the withdrawing partner shall enter into a settlement according to the property status of the partnership enterprise at the time of withdrawal and the withdrawing partner's share to the property shall be returned. Where the withdrawing partner is liable for compensation for any loss suffered by the partnership enterprise, the corresponding amount of compensation shall be deducted. 

Where outstanding matters of the partnership are pending at the time of withdrawal, the settlement shall be carried out after such matters have been resolved. 

Article 52: The method of returning a withdrawing partner's share to property in the partnership enterprise shall be determined by provisions stipulated under the partnership agreement, or through a decision of all partners. The form of return may be made in cash or in-kind. 

Article 53: A partner that withdraws from the partnership shall bear unlimited liability jointly and severally for any debts of the partnership enterprise that were incurred prior to withdrawal. 

Article 54: Where a partner withdraws at a time where debts of the partnership enterprise exceed the amount of property held by the partnership enterprise, the withdrawing partner shall bear the respective share of losses pursuant to the provisions of the first paragraph of Article 33. 

Section Six - Special General Partnership Enterprise 

Article 55: Professional service organisations that provide fee-based professional and skilled services for clients may be established as a special general partnership enterprise. 

A special general partnership enterprise shall mean a general partnership enterprise whose partners bear liability pursuant to the provisions of Article 57 of this Law. 

The provisions of this Section shall apply to special general partnership enterprises; where this Section does not provide, the provisions of Section 1 to Section 5 of this Chapter shall apply. 

Article 56: The words “special general partnership" must be included in the name of a special general partnership enterprise. 

Article 57: Where debts are incurred by the partnership enterprise as a result of one or more partners having acted intentionally or negligently in the course of providing professional services, the responsible partner(s) shall bear unlimited liability or unlimited liability jointly and severally, and the other partners shall be liable up to their respective shares to property in the partnership enterprise. 

Where debts incurred by the partnership enterprise are as a result of non-intentional or non-negligent acts of a partner in the course of providing professional services, all partners shall bear unlimited liability jointly and severally for the debts. 

Article 58: A partner that has intentionally or negligently caused the partnership enterprise to incur debts in the course of providing professional services shall, pursuant to the provisions in the partnership agreement, be liable to compensate the partnership enterprise for any loss suffered, after it has discharged its liability. 

Article 59: A special general partnership enterprise shall establish a practice risk fund and take up professional liability insurance.

The practice risk fund shall be used for the settlement of debts incurred in the course of providing professional services by partners. The practice risk fund shall be managed under an independent account. The specific administrative measures shall be formulated by the State Council. 

 PART THREE: LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ENTERPRISE 

Article 60: The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to limited partnership enterprises and their partners; where this Chapter does not provide, the provisions of Section 1 to Section 5 of Chapter II on general partnership enterprises and partners shall apply.

Article 61: Unless the laws stipulate otherwise, a limited partnership enterprise shall be formed by more than two and less than 50 partners. 

A limited partnership enterprise shall have at least one general partner. 

Article 62: The words “limited partnership" must be included in the name of a limited partnership enterprise. 

Article 63: In addition to compliance with provisions under Article 18, the partnership agreement shall also state the following matters: 

  1. the names and addresses of general partners and limited partners;

  2. the prerequisites and selection procedures for partners that conduct partnership affairs;

  3. the scope of authority for partners that conduct partnership affairs and the handling measures in an event of a default;

  4. the criteria for the removal of partners that conduct partnership affairs and the replacement procedures;

  5. the criteria and procedures for admission and withdrawal of limited partners and the relevant liabilities; and

  6. the procedures for the conversion of limited partners to general partners and vice versa.

Article 64: Limited partners may contribute capital in the form of cash, in-kind capital contribution, intellectual property rights, land use rights or other property rights. 

Limited partners shall not contribute capital in the form of labour services. 

Article 65: A limited partner shall make capital contribution in full according to the fixed term stipulated in the partnership agreement; a failure to do so shall constitute a liability in default against the other partners and the partner will have the obligation to make up the contribution. 

Article 66: The names of limited partners and their capital subscription amounts shall be stated during the registration of a limited partnership enterprise. 

Article 67: The partnership affairs of a limited partnership enterprise shall be conducted by general partners. The partners who conduct partnership affairs may request for the remuneration amount for the conduct of partnership affairs and its method of withdrawal to be stated in the partnership agreement. 

Article 68: A limited partner shall not conduct partnership affairs and shall not represent the limited partnership enterprise in external dealings. 

The following acts by a limited partner shall not be deemed as conduct of partnership affairs: 

  1. participation in a decision to admit or remove a general partner;

  2. making a proposal relating to the business management of the enterprise;

  3. participation in the selection of an accounting firm to audit the limited partnership enterprise;

  4. obtaining an audited financial accounting report of the limited partnership enterprise;

  5. inspection of financial accounting books and other financial information of the limited partnership enterprise which involve self-interests ;

  6. assertion of rights or commencement of legal proceedings against an accountable partner where interests of the limited partnership enterprise have been infringed;

  7. the supervision, exercise of rights or commencement of legal proceedings in one's own name to safeguard the interests of the enterprise where the partner responsible for the conduct of partnership affairs has neglected the exercise of his rights; and

  8. provision of guarantee for the enterprise pursuant to the law.

Article 69: Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, a limited partnership enterprise must not distribute all profits to some partners only. 

Article 70: Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, a limited partner of a limited partnership enterprise may enter into transactions with the enterprise. 

Article 71: Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, a limited partner of a limited partnership enterprise may operate in businesses which compete with the enterprise, on his own or in cooperation with others. 

Article 72: Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, a limited partner may create a pledge over his own share to property in the limited partnership enterprise. 

Article 73: A limited partner may, pursuant to the provisions of the partnership agreement, transfer his share to property in the limited partnership enterprise to an external party, provided that the other partners have been notified 30 days in advance. 

Article 74: Where the personal property of a limited partner is insufficient to repay his personal debts which are unrelated to the partnership enterprise, the partner may use his share to gains distributed under the limited partnership enterprise for the repayment of personal debts; creditors may apply to the People's Court to enforce a repayment from the partner's share to property in the limited partnership enterprise. 

Where the People's Court orders for an enforcement over a limited partner's share to property for repayment, all the partners shall be notified accordingly. All the other partners shall have a preferential right to purchase the limited partner's share to property under the same terms. 

Article 75: Where only limited partners remain in a limited partnership enterprise, the limited partnership enterprise shall be dissolved; where only general partners remain in a limited partnership enterprise, the enterprise shall be converted to a general partnership enterprise. 

Article 76: Where a third party has reason to believe that a limited partner is a general partner and enters into a transaction with the limited partner, the limited partner shall be liable in the same manner as a general partner in that transaction. 

Where a limited partner enters into transactions with others in the name of a limited partnership enterprise without authority, and causes the limited partnership enterprise or other partners to suffer loss, the limited partner shall be liable for compensation. 

Article 77: A newly admitted limited partner shall be liable for debts incurred by the limited partnership enterprise prior to his admission up to the amount of capital contribution subscribed. 

Article 78: A limited partner shall automatically withdraw from the partnership upon the occurrence of any event stipulated in item (1) and item (3) to item (5) of the first paragraph of Article 48. 

Article 79: Where a natural person as a limited partner becomes incapable of civil conduct during the period of existence of the limited partnership enterprise, the other partners shall not, based on such reason, demand the withdrawal of the limited partner. 

Article 80: After the death of a natural person as a limited partner or the limited partner is legally declared deceased, or, where a limited partner that is a legal person or other organisation is terminated, the successor or beneficiary may succeed the status held by the limited partner in the limited partnership enterprise. 

Article 81: A limited partner who has withdrawn from the limited partnership enterprise shall be liable for debts incurred by the limited partnership enterprise prior to his withdrawal and up to the limit of property he received from the limited partnership enterprise at the time of withdrawal. 

Article 82: Unless the partnership agreement stipulates otherwise, the conversion of a general partner to a limited partner or vice versa shall require the unanimous consent of all the partners. 

Article 83: A limited partner who is converted to a general partner shall bear unlimited liability jointly and severally for debts incurred by the limited partnership enterprise during which he was a limited partner. 

Article 84: A general partner who is converted to a limited partner shall bear unlimited liability jointly and severally for debts incurred by the partnership enterprise during which he was a general partner. 

 PART FOUR: DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION OF PARTNERSHIP ENTERPRISE 

Article 85: A partnership enterprise shall be dissolved under any of the following circumstances: 

  1. where the partners decide to cease business operations upon expiry of the partnership enterprise term;

  2. where an event stipulated under the partnership agreement that triggers dissolution has occurred;

  3. where all the partners decide to dissolve the partnership enterprise;

  4. where the partnership enterprise has failed to reach a statutory quorum for 30 days;

  5. where the objectives stipulated under the partnership agreement have been achieved or cannot be achieved;

  6. where the business licence of the partnership enterprise has been revoked or the partnership enterprise has been ordered to close down or to be revoked; or

  7. any other circumstances stipulated by the laws and administrative regulations.

Article 86: In the event of dissolution of a partnership enterprise, the liquidator shall liquidate the partnership enterprise. 

All the partners shall act as the liquidator; upon consent by a simple majority of all the partners, one or more partners or an entrusted third party may be appointed to act as the liquidator within 15 days from the occurred event which triggers dissolution of the partnership enterprise. 

Where a liquidator has not been appointed within 15 days from the occurred event which triggers dissolution of the partnership enterprise, the partners or other interested parties may apply to the People's Court for the appointment of a liquidator. 

Article 87: A liquidator shall perform the following matters during liquidation:

 

  1. liquidate the assets of the partnership enterprise, and separately prepare for a balance sheet and a assets statement;

  2. settle all outstanding affairs of the partnership enterprise related to liquidation;

  3. settle outstanding taxes;

  4. settle credits and debts;

  5. dispose the remaining assets after debts of the partnership enterprise are settled; and

  6. represent the partnership enterprise in litigation or arbitration proceedings.

 

Article 88: The liquidator shall notify creditors of the partnership enterprise of the dissolution within 10 days from the date of its appointment and publish a public announcement within 60 days in the newspapers. Creditors shall declare their creditor rights to the liquidator within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written notification, or within 45 days from the date of the public announcement in case they have not received any written notification. 

Creditors shall state the relevant matters and provide the evidentiary materials when declaring creditor rights. The liquidator shall record each creditor's rights. 

A partnership enterprise shall continue to exist during the liquidation period but it must not commence any business activity which is unrelated to the liquidation. 

Article 89: Any remaining property of the partnership enterprise shall, upon payment of the liquidation expenses, wages of employees, social security expenses, statutory compensation and outstanding taxes, be distributed pursuant to the provisions of the first paragraph of Article 33. 

Article 90: Upon completion of liquidation, the liquidator shall prepare a liquidation report which shall, for the application and completion of de-registration formalities, be submitted to the enterprise registration authority within 15 days after all partners have signed and affixed their seal on the report. 

Article 91: After a partnership enterprise is de-registered, the previous general partners of the partnership enterprise shall continue to bear unlimited liability jointly and severally for debts incurred by the partnership enterprise during its period of existence. 

Article 92: When a partnership enterprise is unable to settle its debts which are due, the creditors may apply to the People's Court for bankruptcy liquidation of the partnership enterprise pursuant to the law, and may request that the general partners to settle the debts. 

Where a partnership enterprise is declared bankrupt pursuant to the law, the general partners shall continue to bear unlimited liability jointly and severally for the debts of the partnership enterprise. 

PART FIVE: LEGAL LIABILITY 

Article 93: Any person who violates the provisions of this Law by submitting false documents or uses other deceitful means to obtain registration of a partnership enterprise shall be ordered to make correction by the enterprise registration authority and be subject to a fine ranging from Rmb 5,000 to Rmb 50,000; where the case is serious, the registration of the enterprise shall be revoked and a fine ranging from Rmb 50,000 to Rmb 200,000 shall be imposed.

Article 94: A partnership enterprise which violates the provisions of this Law by failing to include the words of “general partnership", “special general partnership" or “limited partnership" in its name shall be ordered to make correction within a stipulated period by the enterprise registration authority and be subject to a fine ranging from Rmb 2,000 to Rmb 10,000. 

Article 95: Any person who violates the provisions of this Law by engaging in partnership affairs in the name of a partnership enterprise or a branch of a partnership enterprise without a business licence shall be ordered by the enterprise registration authority to stop such conduct and be subject to a fine ranging from Rmb 5,000 to Rmb 50,000. 

A partnership enterprise which has not completed changing registration formalities pursuant to the provisions of this Law due to changes in the registration matters shall be ordered by the enterprise registration authority to complete registration formalities within a stipulated period; failing which, a fine ranging from Rmb 2,000 to Rmb 20,000 shall be imposed. 

Where the partners who are responsible for the conduct of partnership affairs fail to complete changing registration formalities due to changes in the registration matters within the stipulated period, the partners shall compensate for any loss suffered by the partnership enterprise, other partners or bona fide third parties. 

Article 96: Where a partner that conducts partnership affairs or an employee of the partnership enterprise abuses his official powers to take possession of partnership enterprise interest or property, or use other means to take possession of the partnership enterprise property, shall return the said interest or property to the partnership enterprise. The partner or the employee shall be liable to compensate for any loss suffered therefrom by the partnership enterprise or its other partners. 

Article 97: Where a partner that conducts partnership affairs acted without authorisation when unanimous consent of all partners is required under provisions of this Law or the partnership agreement, the partner shall be liable to compensate for any loss suffered therefrom by the partnership enterprise or the other partners pursuant to the law. 

Article 98: Where a partner with no authority to conduct partnership affairs conducts partnership affairs and causes loss to the partnership enterprise or to the other partners, the partner shall be liable for compensation. 

Article 99: Where a partner violates provisions in this Law or the partnership agreement by engaging in competing businesses with the partnership enterprise or enters into transactions with the partnership enterprise, the gains therefrom shall belong to the partnership enterprise; where the partnership enterprise or the other partners suffer loss, the said partner shall be liable for compensation. 

Article 100: Where the liquidator fails to submit a liquidation report to the enterprise registration authority pursuant to provisions in this Law, or concealed or omitted important facts in the liquidation report, the enterprise registration authority shall order the liquidator to make a correction. Any expense or loss that arise therefrom shall be borne and compensated by the liquidator. 

Article 101: Where the liquidator makes illegal profits from, or takes possession of partnership enterprise property while conducting liquidation matters, the liquidator shall return the said profits and property to the partnership enterprise; and the liquidator shall be liable to compensate for any loss suffered therefrom by the partnership enterprise or other partners pursuant to the law. 

Article 102: Where the liquidator violates provisions in this Law and harms the interests of the creditors by hiding or transferring partnership enterprise property, making fraudulent records in the balance sheet or the assets statement, or distributes property before the settlement of debts, the liquidator shall be liable for compensation pursuant to the law. 

Article 103: A partner who violates any provision in the partnership agreement shall be liable for the breach pursuant to the law.

Where a dispute arises from the performance of the partnership agreement by partners, the partners may resolve the dispute through negotiation or mediation. Where the partners refuse to resolve the dispute through negotiation or mediation, or where negotiation or mediation is unsuccessful, the partners may apply for arbitration with an arbitration organisation pursuant to any arbitration clause provided under the partnership agreement or a written arbitration agreement that was subsequently concluded. Where there is no arbitration clause provided in the partnership agreement and the partners have not entered into a subsequent written arbitration agreement, legal proceedings may be instituted in the People's Court. 

Article 104: The administrative authority personnel who violate provisions in this Law by abusing official powers, engaging in favouritism and embezzlement, taking bribes, and infringing the legitimate rights and interests of a partnership enterprise shall be subject to administrative penalties. 

Article 105: Where any violation of the provisions in this Law constitutes a criminal offence, criminal liability shall be imposed according to the law. 

Article 106: Civil compensation shall be given priority in settlement where a person who violated provisions in this Law is liable for civil compensation, fines and penalties, and that person has insufficient property to settle them concurrently. 

 PART SIX: SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS 

Article 107: Where non-enterprise type professional service organisations are established as a partnership under relevant laws, the liability of those partners may be guided by the provisions in this Law regarding the liability of partners in special general partnership enterprises. 

Article 108: The administrative measures on the establishment of partnership enterprises in China by foreign enterprises or individuals shall be formulated by the State Council. 

Article 109: This Law shall be effective on 1 June 2007.
 

 

 
 
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