Coverage & Limitations

All supported England & Wales limitation claim types, their base periods, the modifiers available, and what is not yet covered in this version.

Contract & Debt

Simple Contract

6 years from Breach Date

Limitation Act 1980, s.56 years+4 modifiers

Deed Claim (Specialty Contract)

12 years from Breach Date

Limitation Act 1980, s.812 years+4 modifiers

Debt Recovery

6 years from Date Debt Became Due

Limitation Act 1980, s.56 years+4 modifiers

Tort & Negligence

Tort (Non-PI)

6 years from Accrual Date

Limitation Act 1980, s.26 years+2 modifiers

Personal Injury

3 years from Later of Injury/Knowledge

Limitation Act 1980, s.113 years+2 modifiers

Clinical/Medical Negligence

3 years from Later of Injury/Knowledge

Limitation Act 1980, s.11 / s.143 years+2 modifiers

Fatal Accident

3 years from Date of Death or Knowledge

Fatal Accidents Act 1976 / Limitation Act 1980, s.123 years+1 modifier

Professional Negligence

6 years or 3-year Knowledge Rule (with 15-year longstop)

Limitation Act 1980, s.2 / s.14A6 years15 years longstop+2 modifiers

Defamation

1 year from First Publication

Limitation Act 1980, s.4A1 years

Consumer & Product

Product Liability (CPA 1987)

3 years from Knowledge (10-year longstop)

Consumer Protection Act 1987 / Limitation Act 1980, s.11A3 years10 years longstop+1 modifier

Specialist Claims

Contribution

2 years from Judgment/Settlement Date

Limitation Act 1980, s.102 years+2 modifiers

Recovery of Land

12 years from Start of Adverse Possession

Limitation Act 1980, s.1512 years+3 modifiers

Breach of Trust

Usually 6 years (some claims have no limitation period)

Limitation Act 1980, s.216 years+1 modifier

Conversion (Wrongful Interference)

6 years from Date of Conversion

Limitation Act 1980, s.2 / s.36 years+2 modifiers

Restitution / Unjust Enrichment

6 years from Date Enrichment Arose

Limitation Act 1980, s.5 (by analogy) / s.32(1)(c)6 years+4 modifiers

Property & Enforcement

Judgment Enforcement

6 years from Judgment Date

Limitation Act 1980, s.246 years

Mortgage Principal

12 years from Date Principal Became Due

Limitation Act 1980, s.20(1)12 years+2 modifiers

Mortgage Interest Arrears

6 years from Interest Due Date

Limitation Act 1980, s.20(5)6 years

Latent Damage (Non-PI)

6 years or 3-year Knowledge Rule (15-year longstop)

Limitation Act 1980, s.14A / s.14B6 years15 years longstop+2 modifiers

Public Law

Human Rights Act Claim

1 year from Date of Act Complained Of

Human Rights Act 1998, s.7(5)1 years

Supported modifiers

Disability — postponement under s.28

Fraud / concealment / mistake — postponement under s.32

Acknowledgment — fresh accrual under s.29

Part payment — fresh accrual under s.29

Not covered in this version

The following claim types and scenarios are explicitly out of scope. If your matter involves any of these, a manual legal review is strongly recommended:

Standstill agreements and bespoke contractual tolling

Foreign limitation rules and conflict of laws

Arbitration-specific and adjudication-specific deadlines

Insolvency stays and insolvency-specific timeline effects

Detailed CPR service/procedural deadlines

Detailed adverse possession regimes under Land Registration Act 2002

Complex trust claims against third parties (knowing receipt/dishonest assistance)

Complex mortgage possession proceedings strategy

Fatal accidents and dependency claims

Product liability specific rules

Accuracy of results

The result is only as accurate as the facts you enter. Accrual dates, dates of knowledge, and modifier dates can all be legally contested. Where facts are disputed or legally complex, the tool is designed to flag manual review rather than provide a misleadingly precise answer.

All statute citations and section labels should be independently verified by a qualified legal professional before reliance. Rule files are versioned and carry a last-reviewed date for audit purposes.