The Partnerships (Unrestricted Size) No. 12 Regulations 1997
Section 716 of the Companies Act 1985 prohibits the formation of partnerships consisting of more than 20 persons. These Regulations exempt from that prohibition any partnership formed for the purpose of carrying on practice in relation to matters connected with the European Patent Convention 1973 (Cmnd. 8510) where the majority of the partners are members of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office.