Summary
The Limitation Act 1980 prescribes the time limits within which civil actions must be brought. After the limitation period expires, the claim becomes statute-barred and the defendant has a complete defence.
Key Points
- Contract and tort claims: 6 years from the cause of action (ss.2, 5)
- Personal injury claims: 3 years from the date of injury or knowledge (s.11)
- Defamation: 1 year from publication (s.4A)
- Claims on a specialty (deed): 12 years (s.8)
- Contribution claims: 2 years from judgment or settlement (s.10)
- Court has discretion to disapply the limitation period for personal injury claims (s.33)
- Fraud, concealment, or mistake can postpone the start of the limitation period (s.32)
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2013 — Defamation Act 2013
Reduced the limitation period for defamation from one year under the previous law.