Commercial partnerships in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Malta

Abstract

In today’s commercial partnerships – the limited liability company in its various forms in particular – are considered vehicles for commercial activities but also as efficient ways through which financing could be obtained. Although by the late nineteenth century, commercial association had long been known and practised in Malta, it was generally for other purposes. This is confirmed by the unpopularity of limited liability on the one hand and the recourse to partnership between family members on the other. In both these and other cases, association was viewed within the wider perspective of wealth retention and transmission. In cases involving nonrelatives, such associations served as a means of acquiring both financial as well as other forms of capital. In all cases, a deep analysis of commercial partnerships during this period is bound to yield rich material for a better understanding of commerce in Malta.