Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Disputes definition

What does Disputes mean? In legal practice, disputes are disagreements giving rise to potential legal rights and remedies between parties, addressed through dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration and ADR such as mediation and negotiation. The term is descriptive rather than a defined statutory concept; the substantive rights and procedures arise from statute and common law. Typical features include identification of the cause of action, applicable limitation periods, choice of jurisdiction and forum, compliance with pre-action protocols or pre-action correspondence, disclosure/discovery, evidence, settlement, costs and enforcement. Usage is broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, though civil procedure differs: CPR in England...

Property Disputes: Limitation Periods and Key Procedural Deadlines (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Property Disputes expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note sets out the timeframes for undertaking several frequently encountered tasks by property Disputes practitioners, alongside links to added guidance. It is not a complete catalogue of all deadlines relevant to the areas noted, and supplies only concise points. Full particulars of the applicable law and procedure in each instance should be obtained from the supplementary materials. For wider guidance on limitation periods, see Practice Notes: Limitation—the principal limitation periods and Limitation Act 1980—general application.

Step required Time limit Reference Further information

Limitation periods for common court proceedings

Court proceedings to recover rent (including sums reserved as rent). Six years from the date the Arrears fell due. Section 19 of the Limitation Act 1980 (LA 1980). See Practice Note: Recovering rent arrears.
Court proceedings for breach of lease other than non-payment of rent. 12 years if the lease was executed by deed; otherwise six years. LA 1980, ss 5 and 8. See Practice Note: Quick guide to landlord’s remedies for breach of lease.
Claim for possession of Unregistered land (and registered land where the squatter had been in possession for 12 years before 13 October 2003). 12 years. LA 1980, s 15. See Further information Further information See...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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