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...

Amending statements of case after limitation: new causes of action, parties, set-off and counterclaims; relation back and discretion under CPR 17 and 19, Limitation Act 1980 (England and Wales)

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Practice notes

This Practice Note explores the situations in which a court may permit changes to a party’s statement of case once a relevant limitation period has expired (or may have expired). It cites section 35 of the Limitation Act 1980 (LA 1980) and reviews the pertinent provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules, in particular CPR 17.4, concerning the introduction of new causes of action. It also expressly considers limitation issues that arise in relation to counterclaims.

For guidance on determining limitation periods under LA 1980, together with illustrative authorities, see the following Practice Notes:

Limitation Act 1980—general application
Limitation—the principal limitation periods
Limitation—illustrative decisions
Limitation and extensions of time—key and illustrative decisions [Archived]

See also Practice Notes: Amending a statement of case—introduction and Amending a statement of case—permission to amend for general information on amending statements of case where limitation is not in issue. Practitioners should further note that the numbering for CPR 19 changed with effect from 6 April 2023. In particular, CPR 19.5 was renumbered as CPR 19.6, with only minor edits to the text of that provision. Judgments handed down before 6 April 2023 will, accordingly, refer to CPR 19.5...

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Web page updated on 28/05/2026

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