Limitation Act 1980

The Limitation Act 1980 (c. 58) is a British Act of Parliament. [ [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/legResults.aspx?activeTextDocId=1355378 Limitation Act 1980 (c. 58)] .] It is a statute of limitations which provides timescales inside which action may be taken (by issuing a claim form) for breaches of the law. For example it provides that breaches of an ordinary contract are actionable for six years after the event Limitation Act 1980, [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?ActiveTextDocId=1355390 s. 5] .] whereas breaches of a deed are actionable for twelve years after the event Limitation Act 1980, [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?ActiveTextDocId=1355394 s. 8] .] . In most cases, after the expiry of the time periods specified in the Act the remedies available for breaches are extinguished and no action may be taken in the courts in respect of those breaches.

Summary of time limits

The ordinary time limits allowed by the act are set out below. These limits may, in some cases, be extended or altered. Most of the time limits run from the day after the accrual of action, which is "the earliest time at which an action could be brought" ["Reeves v. Butcher" [1891] 2 QB 509.] . If the potential claimant was under 18 or of unsound mind at the time of the accrual of action, time will not run until he is free of that disability. [Limitation Act 1980, [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?ActiveTextDocId=1355430 s.28] .] Where there has been fraud or concealment, or the action is for relief from the consequences of a mistake, time will not run until the fraud, concealment or mistake is discovered or could with reasonable diligence be discovered. [Limitation Act 1980, [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?ActiveTextDocId=1355437 s.32] .]

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