The UK government inadvertently, and for entirely the wrong reasons, made the Limited Liability Company obsolete six years ago when they introduced a new "Open" Corporate form - the "Limited Liability Partnership" ("LLP").

I've been working in Scotland and Norway with the Nordic Enterprise Trust - backed by a little money from Innovation Norway - to develop new partnership-based "enterprise models" using this simple and infinitely flexible vehicle. eg there doesn't even need to be an ageement in writing between members.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect is the way it introduces a simple new financing option. Simply bring in an investors as "Capital Partners" in an LLP alongside your business (which can be any form you like) and share prodcution, or the revenues from sale of production, or rent from the building, or whatever.

Once you use one of these babies - and you can use them across borders easily - you'll never go back.....

NB The attached doc was a presentation submitted to a few UK MP's, but don't let that put you off.....