Limitation Act 1980

Provision 1· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

Limitation Act 1980 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/58 Limitation Act 1980 An Act to consolidate the Limitation Acts 1939 to 1980. 1987-10-01 text text/xml en Statute Law Database 2026-04-08 Expert Participation 2026-04-06 Limitation Act 1980 s. 14(1B) Automated Vehicles Act 2024 Sch. 2 para. 3 s. 96 s. 99(1) Limitation Act 1980 Act Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 s. 234(4) s. 235 243 252 s. 339(1) Limitation Act 1980 s. 11ZA 11ZB Crime and Policing Act 2026 s. 96(2) s. 255(3)(b) Limitation Act 1980 s. 12(1A) Crime and Policing Act 2026 s. 96(3) s. 255(3)(b) Limitation Act 1980 s. 14B(1) Crime and Policing Act 2026 s. 96(4) s. 255(3)(b) Limitation Act 1980 s. 33A Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 Sch. 10 para. 2(11)(a) s. 61 s. 63(4 [...]

Provision 2· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

years from the accrual of the cause of action in respect of the original conversion. 2 Where any such cause of action has accrued to any person and the period prescribed for bringing that action has expired and he has not during that period recovered possession of the chattel, the title of that person to the chattel shall be extinguished. Special time limit in case of theft. 4 1 The right of any person from whom a chattel is stolen to bring an action in respect of the theft shall not be subject to the time limits under sections 2 and 3(1) of this Act, but if his title to the chattel is extinguished under section 3(2) of this Act he may not bring an action in respect of a theft preceding the loss of his title, unless the theft in question preceded the conversion from which time began to run [...]

Provision 3· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

unless the contrary is shown. 5 In this section “ theft ” includes— a any conduct outside England and Wales which would be theft if committed in England and Wales; and b obtaining any chattel (in England and Wales or elsewhere) by— i blackmail (within the meaning of section 21 of the Theft Act 1968), or ii fraud (within the meaning of the Fraud Act 2006); and references in this section to a chattel being “ stolen ” shall be construed accordingly. Time limit for actions for defamation or malicious falsehood. 4A The time limit under section 2 of this Act shall not apply to an action for— a libel or slander, or b slander of title, slander of goods or other malicious falsehood, but no such action shall be brought after the expiration of one year from the date on which the cause of action accru [...]

Provision 4· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

came into force. Actions founded on simple contract Time limit for actions founded on simple contract. 5 An action founded on simple contract shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued. Additional time limit for actions for damages for late payment of insurance claims 5A 1 An action in respect of breach of the term implied into a contract of insurance by section 13A of the Insurance Act 2015 (late payment of claims) may not be brought after the expiration of one year from the date on which the insurer has paid all the sums referred to in subsection (1) of that section. 2 Any payment which extinguishes an insurer's liability to pay a sum referred to in section 13A of the Insurance Act 2015 is to be treated for the purposes of th [...]

Provision 5· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

section applies is made by or on behalf of the creditor (or, where there are joint creditors, by or on behalf of any one of them) section 5 of this Act shall thereupon apply as if the cause of action to recover the debt had accrued on the date on which the demand was made. 4 In this section “ promissory note ” has the same meaning as in the Bills of Exchange Act 1882. Time limit for actions to enforce certain awards. 7 An action to enforce an award, where the submission is not by an instrument under seal, shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued. General rule for actions on a specialty Time limit for actions on a specialty. 8 1 An action upon a specialty shall not be brought after the expiration of twelve years from the date [...]

Provision 6· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

accrues to any person (referred to below in this section as “ the relevant date ”) shall be ascertained as provided in subsections (3) and (4) below. 3 If the person in question is held liable in respect of that damage— a by a judgment given in any civil proceedings; or b by an award made on any arbitration; the relevant date shall be the date on which the judgment is given, or the date of the award (as the case may be). For the purposes of this subsection no account shall be taken of any judgment or award given or made on appeal in so far as it varies the amount of damages awarded against the person in question. 4 If, in any case not within subsection (3) above, the person in question makes or agrees to make any payment to one or more persons in compensation for that damage (whether he ad [...]

Provision 7· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

and 35 of this Act apply, but otherwise Parts 2 and 3 of this Act (except sections 37 and 38) shall not apply for the purposes of this section. Special time limit for actions relating to construction products 10B 1 An action under section 148 of the Building Safety Act 2022 shall not be brought after the expiration of 15 years from the date on which the right of action accrued. 2 An action under section 149 of the Building Safety Act 2022 shall not be brought after— a if the right of action accrued before the commencement date, the expiration of the period of 30 years from the date on which it accrued, and b if the right of action accrued on or after the commencement date, the expiration of the period of 15 years beginning with the date on which it accrued. 3 In a case where— a a right of [...]

Provision 8· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

nuisance or breach of duty (whether the duty exists by virtue of a contract or of provision made by or under a statute or independently of any contract or any such provision) where the damages claimed by the plaintiff for the negligence, nuisance or breach of duty consist of or include damages in respect of personal injuries to the plaintiff or any other person. 1A This section does not apply to any action brought for damages under section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. 2 None of the time limits given in the preceding provisions of this Act shall apply to an action to which this section applies. 3 An action to which this section applies shall not be brought after the expiration of the period applicable in accordance with subsection (4) or (5) below. 4 Except where subsection [...]

Provision 9· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

referring to the earliest of those dates. Actions in respect of defective products. 11A 1 This section shall apply to an action for damages by virtue of any provision of Part I of the Consumer Protection Act 1987. 2 None of the time limits given in the preceding provisions of this Act shall apply to an action to which this section applies. 3 An action to which this section applies shall not be brought after the expiration of the period of ten years from the relevant time, within the meaning of section 4 of the said Act of 1987; and this subsection shall operate to extinguish a right of action and shall do so whether or not that right of action had accrued, or time under the following provisions of this Act had begun to run, at the end of the said period of ten years. 4 Subject to subsectio [...]

Provision 10· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

if for the reference to that period there were substituted a reference to the period of three years from whichever is the later of— a the date of death; and b the date of the personal representative’s knowledge. 6 For the purposes of this section “ personal representative ” includes any person who is or has been a personal representative of the deceased, including an executor who has not proved the will (whether or not he has renounced probate) but not anyone appointed only as a special personal representative in relation to settled land; and regard shall be had to any knowledge acquired by any such person while a personal representative or previously. 7 If there is more than one personal representative and their dates of knowledge are different, subsection (5)(b) above shall be read as re [...]

Provision 11· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

of insurance in respect of the insurer's obligations under that section) shall not be brought after the expiration of the period of three years from— a the date of the accident referred to in that subsection; or b where subsection (3) below applies, the date of knowledge of the person injured (if later). 3 This subsection applies where the damages claimed consist of or include damages in respect of personal injuries (to the claimant or any other person). 4 An action for damages against the owner of a vehicle under subsection (2) of that section shall not be brought after the expiration of the period of three years from— a the date of the accident referred to in that subsection; or b where subsection (3) above applies, the date of knowledge of the person injured (if later). 5 If a person in [...]

Provision 12· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

by the time limit in section 11 , 11A or 11B of this Act, no account shall be taken of the possibility of that time limit being overridden under section 33 of this Act. 2 None of the time limits given in the preceding provisions of this Act shall apply to an action under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, but no such action shall be brought after the expiration of three years from— a the date of death; or b the date of knowledge of the person for whose benefit the action is brought; whichever is the later. 3 An action under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 shall be one to which sections 28, 33 ... , 33B and 35 of this Act apply, and the application to any such action of the time limit under subsection (2) above shall be subject to section 39; but otherwise Parts II and III of this Act shall not app [...]

Provision 13· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

date of knowledge for purposes of sections 11 to 12 . 14 1 Subject to subsections (1A) and (1B) below, in sections 11 and 12 of this Act references to a person’s date of knowledge are references to the date on which he first had knowledge of the following facts— a that the injury in question was significant; and b that the injury was attributable in whole or in part to the act or omission which is alleged to constitute negligence, nuisance or breach of duty; and c the identity of the defendant; and d if it is alleged that the act or omission was that of a person other than the defendant, the identity of that person and the additional facts supporting the bringing of an action against the defendant; and knowledge that any acts or omissions did or did not, as a matter of law, involve neglige [...]

Provision 14· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

in a case relating to loss of or damage to property, any knowledge which that person had on a date on which he had no right of action by virtue of Part I of that Act in respect of the loss or damage. 1B In section 11B of this Act and in section 12 of this Act so far as that section applies to an action by virtue of section 6(1)(a) of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (“ the 2018 Act ”) (death caused by automated vehicle) references to a person's date of knowledge are references to the date on which he first had knowledge of the following facts— a that the injury in question was significant; and b that the injury was attributable in whole or in part to an accident caused by an automated vehicle when driving itself; and c the identity of the insurer of the vehicle (in the case of [...]

Provision 15· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

long as he has taken all reasonable steps to obtain (and, where appropriate, to act on) that advice. Actions in respect of latent damage not involving personal injuries Special time limit for negligence actions where facts relevant to cause of action are not known at date of accrual. 14A 1 This section applies to any action for damages for negligence, other than one to which section 11 of this Act applies, where the starting date for reckoning the period of limitation under subsection (4)(b) below falls after the date on which the cause of action accrued. 2 Section 2 of this Act shall not apply to an action to which this section applies. 3 An action to which this section applies shall not be brought after the expiration of the period applicable in accordance with subsection (4) below. 4 Th [...]

Provision 16· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

sufficiently serious to justify his instituting proceedings for damages against a defendant who did not dispute liability and was able to satisfy a judgment. 8 The other facts referred to in subsection (6)(b) above are— a that the damage was attributable in whole or in part to the act or omission which is alleged to constitute negligence; and b the identity of the defendant; and c if it is alleged that the act or omission was that of a person other than the defendant, the identity of that person and the additional facts supporting the bringing of an action against the defendant. 9 Knowledge that any acts or omissions did or did not, as a matter of law, involve negligence is irrelevant for the purposes of subsection (5) above. 10 For the purposes of this section a person’s knowledge include [...]

Provision 17· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

has not yet accrued; or b where section 14A of this Act applies to the action, the date which is for the purposes of that section the starting date for reckoning the period mentioned in subsection (4)(b) of that section has not yet occurred; before the end of the period of limitation prescribed by this section. Actions to recover land and rent Time limit for actions to recover land. 15 1 No action shall be brought by any person to recover any land after the expiration of twelve years from the date on which the right of action accrued to him or, if it first accrued to some person through whom he claims, to that person. 2 Subject to the following provisions of this section, where— a the estate or interest claimed was an estate or interest in reversion or remainder or any other future estate [...]

Provision 18· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

land had accrued to the person by whom the assurance was made or some person through whom he claimed or some person entitled to a preceding estate or interest, unless the action is brought within the period during which the person by whom the assurance was made could have brought such an action. 5 Where any person is entitled to any estate or interest in land in possession and, while so entitled, is also entitled to any future estate or interest in that land, and his right to recover the estate or interest in possession is barred under this Act, no action shall be brought by that person, or by any person claiming through him, in respect of the future estate or interest, unless in the meantime possession of the land has been recovered by a person entitled to an intermediate estate or intere [...]

Provision 19· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

action to recover land (including a redemption action) the title of that person to the land shall be extinguished. Settled land and land held on trust. 18 1 Subject to section 21(1) and (2) of this Act, the provisions of this Act shall apply to equitable interests in land . . . as they apply to legal estates. Accordingly a right of action to recover the land shall, for the purposes of this Act but not otherwise, be treated as accruing to a person entitled in possession to such an equitable interest in the like manner and circumstances, and on the same date, as it would accrue if his interest were a legal estate in the land (and any relevant provision of Part I of Schedule 1 to this Act shall apply in any such case accordingly). 2 Where the period prescribed by this Act has expired for the [...]

Provision 20· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

this Act; but if and when every such right of action has been so barred the estate of the trustees shall be extinguished. 4 Where— a any settled land is vested in a statutory owner; or b any land is held upon trust . . .; an action to recover the land may be brought by the statutory owner or trustees on behalf of any person entitled to a beneficial interest in possession in the land . . . whose right of action has not been barred by this Act, notwithstanding that the right of action of the statutory owner or trustees would apart from this provision have been barred by this Act. Time limit for actions to recover rent. 19 No action shall be brought, and the power conferred by section 72(1) of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 shall not be exercisable , to recover arrears of rent [...]

Provision 21· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

twelve years from the date on which the right to foreclose accrued. But if the mortgagee was in possession of the mortgaged property after that date, the right to foreclose on the property which was in his possession shall not be treated as having accrued for the purposes of this subsection until the date on which his possession discontinued. 3 The right to receive any principal sum of money secured by a mortgage or other charge and the right to foreclose on the property subject to the mortgage or charge shall not be treated as accruing so long as that property comprises any future interest or any life insurance policy which has not matured or been determined. 4 Nothing in this section shall apply to a foreclosure action in respect of mortgaged land, but the provisions of this Act relating [...]

Provision 22· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

by the mortgage or charge; interest shall not be treated as becoming due before the right to recover the principal sum of money has accrued or is treated as having accrued. Actions in respect of trust property or the personal estate of deceased persons Time limit for actions in respect of trust property. 21 1 No period of limitation prescribed by this Act shall apply to an action by a beneficiary under a trust, being an action— a in respect of any fraud or fraudulent breach of trust to which the trustee was a party or privy; or b to recover from the trustee trust property or the proceeds of trust property in the possession of the trustee, or previously received by the trustee and converted to his use. 2 Where a trustee who is also a beneficiary under the trust receives or retains trust pro [...]

Provision 23· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

shall derive any greater or other benefit from a judgment or order obtained by any other beneficiary than he could have obtained if he had brought the action and this Act had been pleaded in defence. Time limit for actions claiming personal estate of a deceased person. 22 Subject to section 21(1) and (2) of this Act— a no action in respect of any claim to the personal estate of a deceased person or to any share or interest in any such estate (whether under a will or on intestacy) shall be brought after the expiration of twelve years from the date on which the right to receive the share or interest accrued; and b no action to recover arrears of interest in respect of any legacy, or damages in respect of such arrears, shall be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which [...]

Provision 24· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

the person in question (or of some person through whom he claims); or b a period of sixty years during which the benefice has been held adversely to that right; and in no case after the expiration of a period of one hundred years during which the benefice has been held adversely to that right or to the right of some person entitled to a preceding estate or interest or an undivided share or alternate right of presentation or gift held or derived under the same title. This subsection shall apply to the Crown or a bishop claiming a right to present to or bestow any ecclesiastical benefice as patron, but shall not affect the right of the Crown or a bishop to present or collate to any ecclesiastical benefice by reason of a lapse. 2 Where any benefice becomes void after being held adversely to t [...]

Provision 25· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

applies where— a a person entitled in remainder to an entailed interest in any land makes an assurance of his interest which fails to bar the issue in tail or the estates and interests taking effect on the determination of the entailed interest, or fails to bar those estates and interests only; and b any person takes possession of the land by virtue of the assurance. 2 If the person taking possession of the land by virtue of the assurance, or any other person whatsoever (other than a person entitled to possession by virtue of the settlement) is in possession of the land for a period of twelve years from the commencement of the time when the assurance could have operated as an effective bar, the assurance shall thereupon operate, and be treated as having always operated, to bar the issue in [...]