Statute of Limitations
A law prescribing the maximum time period within which a legal action must be filed. The period varies by type of claim and jurisdiction.
Encyclopedia entry: Statute of Limitations
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statute of limitations
A statute of limitations is any law that bars claims after a certain period of time passes after an injury. The period of time varies depending on the jurisdiction and the type of claim.
There are statutes of limitations for both civil and criminal causes of action . They may begin to run from the date of the injury, the date it was discovered, or the date on which it would have been discovered with reasonable efforts. Many statutes of limitations are actual legislative statutes , while others may come from judicial common law .
Compare: statute of repose .
[Last reviewed in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team
]
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Encyclopedia content from Cornell LII Wex (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5).
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.