Page v. Page

Brief Fact Summary. Plaintiff and Defendant were brothers who ran a linen supply business. After years of losses, Plaintiff wanted to dissolve the business just as it became profitable.

Synopsis of Rule of Law. Unless specified, a partnership may be dissolved at will by any partner providing the partner is exercising good faith.

Facts. Plaintiff and Defendant were partners in a linen supply business. The business was unprofitable for the first nine years, but then their fortunes turned when an Air Force base opened nearby. Plaintiff wanted to dissolve the partnership after the business became profitable. Defendant asserts that he and Plaintiff have run other businesses together and they always stipulated that the partnership should continue until the parties could recoup the money they invested. Defendant also believes that Plaintiff is using his superior financial position to push out Defendant so Plaintiff can acquire the whole business and receive 100% of the profits.

Issue. The issue is whether the partnership is for a term (in this case as long as it takes to recoup their investments) or whether it is a partnership at will.

Held. A partnership can be dissolved by the express will of any partner providing that the partner making a good faith judgment. Although factors may exist that would indicate that the parties meant to have a partnership for a certain term, those factors did not exist in this case. However, Plaintiff could not dissolve the partnership in order to enrich himself at the expense of the partnership.

Discussion. This case follows the Uniform Partnership Act which allows for a dissolution at will unless stipulated in the agreement. This holding would seemingly be in contrast to the holding in Collins v. Lewis. However, a partner’s obligation to operate in good faith overrides their freedom to dissolve the partnership.