What is a Limitation period?

It is any provision which specifies a time limit within which legal proceedings of a particular nature must be brought or, exceptionally, within which notice of a claim or dispute must be given to another party. Limitation of Actions is entirely a matter of Statute, there being no principle of limitation at common law. The Limitation Act sets out the basis periods in certain cases. The three questions which need to be addressed are:

• When does the time period start to run?
• How long is the Limitation Period?
• What happens when the time in question expires?

The length of the Limitation Period varies from one Cause of Action to another and, indeed, the effect of the expiry also varies. Generally, though, the result is that no Action may be brought in respect of a time-barred claim.