AUTH 3.23 Specific issues: applicants that are limited liability partnerships

1A limited liability partnership is a body corporate incorporated under either the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 or other legislation having the same effect as the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000. So, a limited liability partnership is a body corporate and exists as a legal person separate from its members. Any limited liability partnership that wishes to carry on a regulated activity must make its application for Part IV permission in its own name. Consequently, unlike partners in a partnership , the members of the limited liability partnership do not personally become authorised . So, the members do not have permission to conduct regulated activities in their own names. The regulated activities must be carried on by the limited liability partnership itself.

A limited liability partnership has some features of a limited company and some of a partnership. For example, it can have the organisational flexibility of, and is subject to a taxation regime similar to that of, a partnership. However, although the partners of a general partnership are liable personally for the obligations of the partnership, a limited liability partnership (like a limited company) is a separate legal entity that is owned by its members. It is this structure that allows members to protect their personal assets from the liabilities of the body corporate .

The organisational flexibility available to a limited liability partnership means that all of the members can be involved in the day-to-day management and operations of the business. This is so, even though they have limited their liability for the limited liability partnership's obligations. This may be contrasted with the position of limited partners in a limited partnership.

A consequence of the organisational flexibility available to a limited liability partnership is the potential for widely differing organisational structures. This means that the proposed organisational structure for an applicant for Part IV permission will need to be explained fully in the application. This will allow the FSA to give proper consideration, with the applicant, to the way in which the approved persons and financial resource requirements will apply to it. All limited liability partnerships that are making an application for Part IV permission, whether or not they have been formed under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000, will need to supply this information.

Authorised persons wishing to exchange their existing status to that of a limited liability partnership will need to make an application for Part IV permission in the name of the new entity, and will be expected to complete an application pack for Part IV permission. A firm considering changing its existing status should contact the Enquiries and Applications Department (Applications team) (see AUTH 1.9.2 G) at an early stage for advice on what will be required.1