Limitation Act 1980


The Limitation Act 1980 is a British Act of Parliament applicable only to England and Wales. It is a statute of limitations which provides timescales within which action may be taken for breaches of the law. For example, it provides that breaches of an ordinary contract are actionable for six years after the event whereas breaches of a deed are actionable for twelve years after the event. 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". If the potential claimant was not at least 18 or did not have a sound mind at the time of the accrual of action, time will not run until he is at least 18 and has sound mind. 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.
Type of claimGeneral limitation period
TrustsFraudulent breach of trustNo limit
TrustsRecovery of trust property and breach of trust6 years
LandRecovery of land12 years
LandRecovery of money secured by a mortgage12 years
LandRecovery of arrears of rent and consequential damages6 years
ContractSpeciality12 years
ContractSimple contract6 years
StatuteSum recoverable by virtue of statute6 years
Tort and personal injuryTort: general rule6 years
Tort and personal injuryPersonal injury3 years
Tort and personal injuryFatal Accidents Act 1976 claims3 years
Tort and personal injuryConsumer Protection Act 1987 claims for personal injury or property damage3 years
Tort and personal injuryConversion of goods6 years from first conversion
Tort and personal injuryClaims for personal injury, death or damage against ships or owners2 years
Tort and personal injuryDefamation and malicious falsehood1 year
ContributionContribution under the Civil Liability Act 19782 years
ContributionContribution under the Maritime Conventions Act 19111 year
ContributionHuman Rights Act 1998 claim against a public authority1 year
Unpaid criminal fineHer Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service Magistrates' CourtN/A

Magistrates' court fine non-payment

In September 2016 Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service set up the "Historic Debt Project" to tackle long outstanding unpaid criminal fines and financial orders, from debtors who previously were difficult to trace, with the use of new intelligence and tracing tools. Outstanding debts of 10 years and longer being pursued by a dedicated team in the HMCTS National Compliance and Enforcement Service. Magistrates' Court fines, being a criminal matter, are not subject to the Limitations Act 1980.