Limitation Period

A limitation period is the time limit within which a legal claim must be brought, after which the claim becomes statute-barred. Under the Limitation Act 1980, the standard limitation period for debt claims (including enforcement of judgements) is six years from the date the cause of action accrued. For judgements under seal, the period is twelve years under s.8 of the Act.

In practice

Once a limitation period has expired, a defendant can raise it as a complete defence. The period can be restarted by a written acknowledgement of the debt or a part payment under ss.29-30 of the Limitation Act 1980. For enforcement of a money judgement, the six-year period runs from the date of the judgement (or the last payment, whichever is later). Permission is required to enforce a judgement more than six years old under CPR 83.2.