Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Limitation period definition

What does Limitation period mean? The limitation period is the statutory time limit for commencing a civil claim; once expired, proceedings are time‑barred (statute‑barred) and a limitation defence is available. Periods are set by legislation: in England and Wales by the Limitation Act 1980, in Northern Ireland by the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, in Scotland by the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, and in Ireland by the Statute of Limitations 1957 (as amended, including 1991). Time usually runs from accrual of the cause of action, but may instead run from the claimant’s date of knowledge for latent damage or personal injury, and...

Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984: Foreign limitation in England and Wales—general rule, public policy and undue hardship exceptions, Rome regime disapplication, commencement and amendment (relation-back) issues

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Practice notes

This PrACTice Note considers the application of the (FLPA 1984).

This Practice Note explores how the (FLPA 1984) is applied. It outlines the default position that English Law is not automatically engaged when fixing limitation periods in proceedings with an international dimension, and examines when and in what manner the FLPA 1984 operates in practice. It reviews the ruling in the Iraqi Civilian litigation and identifies exceptions that may arise under the FLPA 1984, including public policy and undue hardship exemptions. It also addresses section 8, which enables sections 1, 2 and 4 of the Act to be disapplied. The regime the English courts use to decide the applicable law turns on whether the claim is contractual or tortious, and on either the date the contract was concluded or the date of the harmful event. This area has been significantly shaped by the UK’s exit from the EU. For guidance, see Practice Note: Applicable law—a guide for dispute resolution practitioners. Note: in this Practice Note, the courts of England and Wales are described as the English courts and the laws of England and Wales as English law, for reasons of...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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