Limitation Act 1980

[^key-ad8f79f55fd35f0075c26f3de2afbc95]: Word in s. 10(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Cross-Border Mediation (EU Directive) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/469), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(2) (with reg. 5) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 4(5)(6)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-b0607f5fc8113a5933b78616d65ee9cb]: S. 33(6A) inserted (30.6.2021) by Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 (c. 23), s. 14(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(5); S.I. 2021/678, reg. 2

[^key-b5b6311c513ec4be019c6cc46e9c1df2]: S. 33(1B) inserted (21.4.2021) by Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (c. 18), s. 21, Sch. para. 16(3); S.I. 2021/396, reg. 3(c)(d)

[^key-b7bf4a3f0b73c393d332a2a3293a24bb]: Words in s. 9(2) inserted (21.4.2021) by Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (c. 18), s. 21, Sch. para. 8; S.I. 2021/396, reg. 3(c)(d)

[^key-b9b8b93449b38671c84745f953b96114]: S. 27A(8)(a) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 28(1); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

[^key-bcfc0e4d512110d0e780cc7b207ff4a6]: S. 27A(8)(e)(f) inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), s. 58(5)(6), Sch. 5 para. 2(3); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 5(1)(a)

[^key-bf0c7ce3ad8f80f57f7317d7f432f473]: S. 33(2A)(2B) inserted (30.6.2021) by Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 (c. 23), s. 14(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(3); S.I. 2021/678, reg. 2

[^key-c2a71032d477822e0f24ca50bb074dec]: Words in s. 33(8) substituted (with application in accordance with regs. 3, 4 of the amending S.I.) by Cross-Border Mediation (EU Directive) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1133), regs. 2, 25

[^key-c34258a0e5867e881377e82720759a3e]: Words in s. 32(1) substituted (21.4.2021) by Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (c. 18), s. 21, Sch. para. 15(2); S.I. 2021/396, reg. 3(c)(d)

[^key-c44b0399a381a691d24b378b02f3d58d]: Words in s. 35(3) substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 102; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

[^key-c62848a524162a32e6114026439a5b05]: Word in s. 11 cross-heading inserted (21.4.2021) by Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (c. 18), s. 21, Sch. para. 10; S.I. 2021/396, reg. 3(c)(d)

[^key-cba11f258f8c155a5343c7604b5a754f]: Words in s. 12(1) substituted (21.4.2021) by Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (c. 18), s. 21, Sch. para. 12; S.I. 2021/396, reg. 3(c)(d)

[^key-d5b6cf268f93085a0ff5bfb15b8ca8c7]: S. 33(5A)(5B) inserted (30.6.2021) by Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 (c. 23), s. 14(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(4); S.I. 2021/678, reg. 2

[^key-dea1cf9ae7d4b0908d7c1ee35e000675]: S. 33B(1)(d) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Extension of Time Limits for Legal Proceedings) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1139), regs. 1(2), 3(2)(c) (with reg. 7)

[^key-e23bed2610ecc47d60faf7c4ef76ab9a]: S. 36 excluded (9.6.2018) by The Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/597), regs. 1(1), 4(3) (with reg. 19)

[^key-e6ab6b5fbbdc98154f1858bf8ed6307e]: Words in s. 33(8) inserted (30.6.2021) by Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 (c. 23), s. 14(2), Sch. 2 para. 1(7); S.I. 2021/678, reg. 2

[^key-ec461a5e6e8f9d7ec1aa6b41cbaeb36c]: S. 14(1B) inserted (21.4.2021) by Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (c. 18), s. 21, Sch. para. 13(4); S.I. 2021/396, reg. 3(c)(d)

[^key-f51548b2f28dbde5c67486268a04f28a]: S. 38(11)(d) and word inserted (2.12.2025) by Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 (c. 28), ss. 105(7)(c), 109(2)(a)

[^key-f8d062dd37d2b216d6f23b1a49af2430]: S. 4B inserted (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 135(1), 170(3) (with s. 135(3)(4)(6))

[^key-fbca58d48b862c0e247fe55e8812eac8]: S. 27AB inserted (11.11.2013) by The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) (Amendment) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2604), arts. 1(1), 4(2)

[^key-fe075d206b5b8a0031f862cd09b9321a]: S. 33A omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Cross-Border Mediation (EU Directive) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/469), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(4) (with reg. 5) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1493, regs. 1(1), 4(5)(6)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Actions for recovery of property for purposes of an external order

Actions for recovery of property for purposes of an external order

Extension of limitation period in case of disability.

27C

• (1) None of the time limits given in the preceding provisions of this Act applies to proceedings under Part 7 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (criminal memoirs etc ) for an exploitation proceeds order.

• (2) Proceedings under that Part for such an order are not to be brought after the expiration of 6 years from the date on which the enforcement authority's cause of action accrued.

• (3) Proceedings under that Part for such an order are brought when an application is made for the order.

• (4) Where exploitation proceeds have been obtained by a person from a relevant offence, an enforcement authority's cause of action under that Part in respect of those proceeds accrues when the enforcement authority has actual knowledge that the proceeds have been obtained.

• (5) Expressions used in this section and that Part have the same meaning in this section as in that Part.

Discretionary exclusion of time limit for actions in respect of personal injuries or death.

Mediation in certain cross-border disputes

Extension of time limits because of mediation in certain cross-border disputes

33A

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New claims in pending actions: rules of court.

Actions to prohibit dealing with property subject to an external request

27AB

• (1) None of the time limits given in the preceding provisions of this Act applies to any proceedings under Part 4A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005 (giving effect to external request by means of civil proceedings).

• (2) Proceedings under that Part for a prohibition order in respect of relevant property shall not be brought after the expiration of the period of 20 years from the date on which the relevant person’s cause of action accrued.

• (3) Proceedings under that Part are brought when an application is made for a prohibition order.

• (4) The relevant person’s cause of action accrues in respect of relevant property when the property is obtained (or when it is believed to have been obtained) as a result of or in connection with criminal conduct.

• (5) In this section—

• (a) “criminal conduct” is to be construed in accordance with section 447(8) of the Act,

• (b) expressions used in this section and Part 4A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005 have the same meaning in this section as in that Part.

• (6) In this section “relevant person” means—

• (a) the National Crime Agency,

• (b) the Director of Public Prosecutions,

• (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (d) the Director of the Serious Fraud Office.

Actions for exploitation proceeds orders

Actions for exploitation proceeds orders

Extension of time limits because of mediation in certain cross-border disputes

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Actions for recovery of property for purposes of an external order

Extension of limitation period in case of disability.

Discretionary exclusion of time limit for actions in respect of personal injuries or death.

Extension of time limits because of mediation in certain cross-border disputes

New claims in pending actions: rules of court.

Fresh accrual of action on acknowledgment or part payment.

Discretionary exclusion of time limit for actions for defamation or malicious falsehood.

Discretionary exclusion of time limit for actions in respect of personal injuries or death.

Extension of time limits because of alternative dispute resolution in certain cross border or domestic contractual disputes

Alternative Dispute Resolution in certain cross border or domestic contractual disputes

Extension of time limits because of alternative dispute resolution in certain cross border or domestic contractual disputes

33B

• (1) In this section—

• (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (b) “ADR entity” means a person whose name appears on a list maintained in accordance with regulation 10 of the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/542);

• (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (d) “ADR procedure” means a procedure for the out-of-court resolution of disputes through the intervention of an ADR entity which proposes or imposes a solution or brings the parties together with the aim of facilitating an amicable solution;

• (da) “consumer” means an individual acting for purposes which are wholly or mainly outside that individual’s trade, business, craft or profession;

• (e) “non-binding ADR procedure” means an ADR procedure the outcome of which is not binding on the parties;

• (f) “relevant dispute” means a dispute that—

• (i) concerns obligations under a sales contract or a service contract, and

• (ii) is between a trader established in the United Kingdom or the European Union and a consumer resident in the United Kingdom,

which the parties attempt to settle by recourse to a non-binding ADR procedure;

• (g) “sales contract” means a contract under which a trader transfers, or agrees to transfer, the ownership of goods to a consumer and the consumer pays, or agrees to pay, the price, including any contract that has both goods and services as its object;

• (h) “service contract” means a contract, other than a sales contract, under which a trader supplies, or agrees to supply, a service to a consumer and the consumer pays, or agrees to pay, the price;

• (i) “trader” means a person acting for purposes relating to that person’s trade, business, craft or profession, whether acting personally or through another person acting in the trader’s name or on the trader’s behalf.

• (2) Subsection (3) applies where—

• (a) a time limit under this Act relates to the subject of the whole or part of a relevant dispute;

• (b) a non-binding ADR procedure in relation to the relevant dispute starts before the time limit expires; and

• (c) if not extended by this section, the time limit would expire before the non-binding ADR procedure ends or less than eight weeks after it ends.

• (3) For the purposes of initiating judicial proceedings, the time limit expires instead at the end of eight weeks after the non-binding ADR procedure ends (subject to subsection (4)).

• (4) If a time limit has been extended by this section, subsections (2) and (3) apply to the extended time limit as they apply to a time limit mentioned in subsection (2)(a).

• (5) Where more than one time limit applies in relation to a relevant dispute, the extension by subsection (3) of one of those time limits does not affect the others.

• (6) For the purposes of this section, a non-binding ADR procedure starts in relation to a relevant dispute on the date when the dispute is first sent or otherwise communicated to the ADR entity in accordance with the entity’s rules regarding the submission of complaints.

• (7) For the purposes of this section, the non-binding ADR procedure ends on the date of the first of these to occur—

• (a) the parties reach an agreement in resolution of the relevant dispute;

• (b) a party completes the notification of the other parties that it has withdrawn from the non-binding ADR procedure;

• (c) a party to whom a qualifying request is made fails to give a response reaching the other parties within 14 days of the request;

• (d) the ADR entity notifies the party that submitted the relevant dispute to the ADR entity that, in accordance with its policy, the ADR entity refuses to deal with the relevant dispute;

• (e) after the parties are notified that the ADR entity can no longer act in relation to the relevant dispute (for whatever reason), the parties fail to agree within 14 days to submit the dispute to an alternative ADR entity;

• (f) the non-binding ADR procedure otherwise comes to an end pursuant to the rules of the ADR entity.

• (8) For the purpose of subsection (7), a qualifying request is a request by a party that another (A) confirm to all parties that A is continuing with the non-binding ADR procedure.

• (9) In the case of any relevant dispute, references in this section to a non-binding ADR procedure are references to the non-binding ADR procedure so far as it relates to that dispute, and references to a party are to be read accordingly.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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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 this section as payment of that sum.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4B

• (1) Where by virtue of a relevant provision a person becomes entitled to bring an action against any other person, no action may be brought after the expiration of 15 years from the date on which the right of action accrued.

• (2) An action referred to in subsection (1) is one to which—

• (a) sections 1, 28, 32, 35, 37 and 38 apply;

• (b) the other provisions of this Act do not apply.

• (3) In this section “relevant provision” means—

• (a) section 1 or 2A of the Defective Premises Act 1972;

• (b) section 38 of the Building Act 1984.

• (4) Where by virtue of section 1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972 a person became entitled, before the commencement date, to bring an action against any other person, this section applies in relation to the action as if the reference in subsection (1) to 15 years were a reference to 30 years.

• (5) In subsection (4) “the commencement date” means the day on which section 135 of the Building Safety Act 2022 came into force.

10A

• (1) Where by virtue of section 5 of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 an insurer or vehicle owner becomes entitled to bring an action against any person, the action shall not be brought after the expiration of two years from the date on which the right of action accrued (under subsection (5) of that section).

• (2) An action referred to in subsection (1) shall be one to which sections 32, 33A 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.

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 action under section 149 of the Building Safety Act 2022 accrued before the commencement date, and

• (b) the expiration of the period of 30 years beginning with the date on which the right of action accrued falls in the year beginning with the commencement date,

subsection (2)(a) has effect as if it referred to the expiration of that year.

• (4) In subsections (2) and (3) “the commencement date” is the day on which section 149 of the Building Safety Act 2022 came into force.

• (5) No other period of limitation prescribed by Part 1 of this Act applies in relation to an action referred to in subsections (1) and (2).

• (6) Sections 28, 32 and 35 of this Act apply in relation to an action referred to subsections (1) and (2), but otherwise Parts 2 and 3 of this Act (except sections 37 and 38) do not apply for the purposes of this section.

11B

• (1) None of the time limits given in the preceding provisions of this Act shall apply to an action for damages under section 2 of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (liability of insurer etc where accident caused by automated vehicle).

But this subsection does not affect the application of section 5A of this Act.

• (2) An action for damages against an insurer under subsection (1) of section 2 of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (including an action by an insured person under a contract 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 injured in the accident dies before the expiration of the period mentioned in subsection (2) or (4) above, the period applicable as respects the cause of action surviving for the benefit of the person's estate by virtue of section 1 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934 shall be three years from—

• (a) the date of death; or

• (b) where subsection (3) above applies, the date of the personal representative's knowledge (if later).

• (6) If there is more than one personal representative, and their dates of knowledge are different, subsection (5)(b) above shall be read as referring to the earliest of those dates.

• (7) In this section “personal representative” has the same meaning as in section 11 of this Act.

Extension of time limits because of mediation in certain cross-border disputes

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27D

This Act has effect subject to section 43 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.