On admission as a new partner, Ashwin agreed to be liable for the existing debts (referred to as the old debts) of the firm by an agreement signed…

Rights and liabilities of new partner: The new firm, including the new partner who joins it, may agree to assume liability for the existing debts of the old firm, and creditors may agree to accept the new firm as their debtor and discharge the old partners. The creditor’s consent is necessary in every case to make the transaction operative. Novation is the technical term in a contract for substituted liability, of course, not confined only to case of partnership. But a mere agreement amongst partners cannot operate as Novation. Thus, an agreement between the partners and the incoming partner that he shall be liable for existing debts will not ipso facto give creditors of the firm any right against him. In the instant case, Ashwin will not be liable in a suit filed by the creditor against the firm and all existing partners for recovery of the old debt of the firm.