Draft Order in Council laid before Parliament under paragraph 2(1)(a) of the Schedule to the Northern Ireland Act 2000, for approval by resolution of each House of Parliament

2003 No. (N.I. )

NORTHERN IRELAND

The Partnerships etc. (Removal of Twenty Member Limit) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003

Made2003

Coming into operation2003

At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the day of 2003

Present,

The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council

Whereas a draft of this Order in Council has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament:

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, in exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 1(1) of the Schedule to the Northern Ireland Act 2000 (c. 1) and of all other powers enabling Her in that behalf, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows: –

Title and commencement1

1

This Order may be cited as the Partnerships etc. (Removal of Twenty Member Limit) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

2

The provisions of this Order come into operation on the expiration of two months from the date on which this Order is made.

Interpretation2

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33) applies to this Order as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

Removal of twenty member limit on partnerships, etc.3

1

In section 4(2) of the Limited Partnerships Act 1907 (c. 24) (constitution of limited partnerships) the words “shall not consist of more than twenty persons, and” shall cease to have effect.

2

Articles 665 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (NI 6) (prohibition of partnerships etc. with more than 20 members) shall cease to have effect.

Repeals4

The statutory provisions mentioned in the Schedule are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the second column of that Schedule.

Clerk of the Privy Council

SCHEDULEREPEALS

Article 4

Short Title	Extent of repeal
The Limited Partnerships Act 1907 (c. 24).	In section 4(2) the words “shall not consist of more than twenty persons, and”.
The Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (NI 6).	Articles 665 and 666.
The Companies (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (NI 10).	In Schedule 5, paragraphs 14 and 15.
The Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (NI 5).	Article 4(5).

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order reforms the law relating to the maximum limit of 20 on the number of persons who can be members of partnerships (including limited partnerships), and of certain companies or associations. It does so by repealing Article 665 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 and amending section 4(2) of the Limited Partnerships Act 1907, thereby removing the maximum limits on the number of members in a partnership or limited partnership, company or association.