The transition from traditional partnerships to Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) has accelerated in recent years. This shift is primarily driven by the significant advantage of limited liability, which protects the personal assets of partners. LLPs also offer greater flexibility, an unlimited number of partners, and a structure that blends elements of both partnerships and private limited companies. These features make LLPs particularly attractive to small and medium-sized businesses.
Compared to traditional partnerships, LLPs provide several key benefits, including limited liability, perpetual succession, and no cap on the number of partners. These advantages make LLPs a preferred choice for partnership firms looking to enhance their operational efficiency and legal security.
Major difference in LLP and Partnership
Particulars |
Partnership Firm |
LLP |
Regulatory Body |
Governed under Partnership act 1932 |
Governed under Limited Liability Act 2008 |
Liability |
Unlimited, personal asset of partners can also be attached |
Limited Liability to extend of the capital contribution |
Separate Legal Entity |
No separate Legal entity |
It’s a separate legal entity |
Books and Accounts |
Not mandatory to maintain |
Mandatory to maintain as per LLP act |
Perpetual Succession |
No |
Yes |
Advantages in LLP incorporation:
- Transparency in Operations
- Perpetual Succession
- Separate Legal Entity
- Limited Liability
- Investment attraction
- Freedom of Management/Flexibility
Pre-requisite for conversion
- Partnership firm should be registered firm
- Name should be reserved for LLP
- Consent from exiting partners and stake holders of Partnership must be obtained
- Digital Signature must be obtained
- Partners should not be disqualified
- Existing partners should obtain the DPIN (Designated Partners Identification Number)
- At the of conversion the exiting partners should be same post converesion
Steps for Converting Partnership into LLP:
STEP 1: Name Approval and DSC
- Name Approval
- File RUN for name reservation on MCA portal
- Select conversion of firm into LLP while reserving the name
- May file two proposed name at a time
- Reserved name will be valid for 90 days, file the incorporation form within these days
- Get the DSC Certification for the all the partners and designated partners
STEP-2 Filing Forms with ROC
- File Form -17
- File the form -17 along with the SRN detail of Name filing
- Address detail of proposed LLP
- Details regarding partner’s contribution
- Secured creditors detail
- Consent statement of Partners
- Copy of Income tax filed
- List and consent of secured creditors
- Filing of Fillip
- File Fillip application for incorporation of proposed LLP
STEP -3 Agreement of LLP
- Filing of LLP form -3
- Post incorporation file Form- 3 within 30days from the date of incorporation for submitting the LLP agreement.
STEP -4 Intimation to ROC
- Filing of Form -14
- This form is for intimation to Registrar about the conversion of firm into LLP
- This should be filed within 15 days from the date of incorporation.
Effect of Conversion
- LLP will come into the existence and partnership will stand dissolved post conversion
- All asset and liabilities, rights and privileges which vested with firm will vest in newly form LLP
- Proceeding which were pending against firm will now be done under LLP name
- Existing contracts and agreement will be renewed in the name of LLP
- Post conversion intimate to the statutory bodies regarding the conversion and get the approvals and amendments in LLP name.
- Now the liabilities of partners will be limited post conversion into LLP.