Is this article legal advice?

No. This article is general information only — it explains how the law works in broad terms. It does not take your personal circumstances into account and does not create any lawyer-client relationship. For advice about your own situation, use the Law Society's Find a Solicitor tool, or seek free guidance from Citizens Advice.

Where can I read the original law this article is based on?

All UK Acts of Parliament and statutory instruments are published in full on legislation.gov.uk, maintained by The National Archives. Court judgments are published on BAILII. If this article cites a specific statute or case, the citation in the article links directly to the relevant section.

How do I know this article is up to date?

Each article shows a "reviewed" date in the byline. When a relevant law changes, we update the article and revise the date. For the most current version of any statute, always check legislation.gov.uk — it marks sections that have been amended or are not yet in force. Bills moving through Parliament are tracked on Parliament.uk.

Can I share or quote this article?

You may share the link to this page. If you quote from it, please attribute it to LawTheGuide and note the date you accessed it, as content may be updated. For official or formal use, always cite the primary source — the statute or judgment — rather than this article. The official text is what courts and tribunals apply.

What if the law is different in my country or region?

Each article notes the jurisdiction it covers. Most LawTheGuide content covers England and Wales civil law. Scotland, Northern Ireland, and other countries have different legal systems — some rules are the same, many are not. mygov.scot covers Scottish law, and nidirect.gov.uk covers Northern Ireland. For other jurisdictions, seek local legal advice.

What a limitation period really means — Articles

A limitation period is not a suggestion. Once it expires, you generally lose your right to bring a claim — regardless of how strong your case is. Understanding when the clock starts, and what can stop it, is one of the most practically important things in civil law.

When the clock starts

For most contract claims, the clock starts when the breach occurs — when the other party failed to do what they agreed to do. For personal injury, it usually starts when you knew (or should have known) you were injured and that someone else was at fault. The Limitation Act 1980 sets out the rules in detail.

The standard periods

Contract claims: six years. Personal injury: three years. Claims on a deed: twelve years. Defamation: one year. These run from the date of accrual unless a specific rule applies. The full table is in Part I of the Act.

What can pause the clock

Fraud or concealment by the defendant can delay the start. If you were under 18 when the cause of action arose, the clock does not start until you turn 18. If you lacked mental capacity, it does not start until you recover capacity (if you do). Negotiations do not automatically pause the clock — this is a common and costly mistake. Citizens Advice has a plain-language overview of time limits.

What cannot pause the clock

Being unaware of your legal rights does not pause the clock. Neither does the fact that you were trying to resolve the dispute without going to court. Issue the claim form before the period expires, even if you intend to settle. The online money claims portal on GOV.UK lets you start a claim immediately.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Always check the official source and consult a qualified lawyer for your situation.

When the clock starts

The standard periods

What can pause the clock

What cannot pause the clock

Questions about this article