Commentary on Sections Employment agencies Section 17: Offences by partnerships in Scotland
94.Section 17 provides that where an offence under EAA 1973 is committed by a partnership in Scotland, and where it is proved that the offence concerned has been committed with the consent or connivance of a partner, or is attributable to the neglect of a partner, then the partner as well as the partnership shall be guilty of the offence and prosecuted.
95.This reflects a difference between English and Scottish law. Under Scottish law a partnership is a separate legal entity, distinct from the partners who make up the partnership. This is not the case under English law.
96.Section 17 therefore enables any partners who have consented to or connived at the offence, or whose neglect has caused the offence, to be prosecuted as well as the partnership.
97.No provision was made in EAA 1973 for Scottish partnerships as until the late 1980s specific provision tended not to be made in legislation for offences committed by Scottish partnerships as it was considered that none was necessary.