Limitation periods … bite size

A party’s right of action may be extinguished by the passage of time under the Limitation Act 1980.

For contract proceeds a claim should be brought within 6 years of the ‘cause of action’ which is usually the point when the contract is breached.

For a contract made by deed, a claim should be brought within 12 years of the ‘cause of action’.

A claim in negligence (except personal injury and latent damage) should be brought within 6 years

A claim for personal injury should be brought within 3 years

A claim in negligence in respect of latent damage should be brought 6 years from the date of damage or 3 years from the date the claimant had knowledge of the damage.

Fraud claims should be brought within 6 years

Defamation claims should be brought within 1 year