Partner has the right to inspect the books of a dissolved partnership.

The case of Murray & Ors v Lesicar & Ors [2016] SASC 71 illustrates some of the principles that can apply to the rights of a partner to inspect the books of a dissolved partnership.

The Key Facts

1. Murray and Lesicar were in a partnership.
2. The partnership dissolved on September 2013. The partners were in the process of finalising the partnership account.
3. The partnership emails were stored on a server which Lesicar now used in the conduct of a new partnership.
4. As part of finalising the partnership account, Murray wanted to access the partnership books.
5. Murray sought access to the emails on the partnership server. Lesicar produced 100,000 emails he said were relevant, but did not permit Murray unrestricted access in the same manner that Lesicar had.