Part 2 – Limited partnerships etc Disclosure of information Section 139: Disclosure of information about partners
This section inserts new sections 16C to 16E into the Limited Partnerships Act 1907 and amends section 3(1). Section 16C restricts the Registrar from disclosing certain protected date of birth or residential address information on the Registrar unless specific circumstances apply.
	These circumstances are:
The same information is already publicly available;
The date of birth or residential address information can be shared with a credit reference agency (although the Secretary of State may by regulations place conditions on the disclosure of information, or prevent the Registrar from disclosing date of birth information or residential address information to a credit reference agency);
The court orders the disclosure of the residential address;
The disclosure is permitted under the section 1110G of the Companies Act 2006.
	Section 16D places restrictions on the disclosure of protected date of birth or residential address information by partners of a limited partnership. In particular, it provides that limited partners may not use or disclose date of birth information and may only use residential address information to communicate with the individual concerned. General partners may disclose protected information in order to communicate with the individual concerned, comply with the Limited Partnerships Act 1907 or in accordance with a court order.
	Contravention of this section constitutes an offence on the partner (limited or general) who discloses protected information and they are liable on conviction to a fine.
	Section 16E sets out the powers of the court to make an order for the disclosure of protected residential address information in particular circumstances and when the court is satisfied that it is appropriate to make the order.
	The limitations on disclosure protect individuals who have provided their personal information, whilst enabling the Registrar to carry out the Registrar’s functions, and partners of a limited partnership to carry on business. For example, if a limited partnership is not responding to correspondence at their registered office address, the residential address can be used, or there may be a situation where the Registrar needs to pass information to a law enforcement agency.