Maatschap
Partnership
A maatschap is a contractual form of cooperation between two or more persons who jointly practise a profession, without legal personality and with personal liability of the partners.
A maatschap is a partnership without legal personality that is used by professionals such as lawyers, physicians and accountants to conduct their practice jointly. The partners share profits and losses in accordance with the partnership agreement and are jointly and severally liable for the partnership’s debts.
This structure is relevant because it provides a flexible means of collaboration without the complexities associated with a legal entity, while also exposing the partners to risks arising from unlimited liability. In practice, a maatschap is often registered with the Chamber of Commerce, and the partnership agreement is essential to the partners’ internal relations.
In legal practice, the maatschap is commonly used by law firms, where the partners participate as maten and the partnership serves as the vehicle for carrying on the practice.
“The three notaries have placed their practice in a partnership in order to share the costs and risks.”
Related articles
Need legal advice?
Schedule a free consultation with one of our specialists