Statute of Limitations Calculator

The statute of limitations sets the maximum period after an event during which legal proceedings may be initiated. Once expired, the claim becomes "time-barred" — courts will generally refuse to hear it. The purpose is legal certainty and protecting defendants from stale claims.

Generally it starts when the claimant knew (or should have known) about the harm and the defendant's identity. For contracts, typically at the date of breach. For personal injury, from the date of injury or knowledge. Some countries have an "absolute" long-stop date regardless of knowledge.

Yes. Common grounds for suspension: claimant being a minor or lacking mental capacity, defendant's fraud, ongoing negotiations, or filing formal proceedings (which interrupts and resets the clock in many systems). Specific rules vary greatly by country.

The defendant can raise limitation as a defence, and the court will typically dismiss your claim. Some jurisdictions have discretion to allow late claims in exceptional cases (e.g. UK's s.33 Limitation Act for personal injury, or French "forclusion" exceptions).

No. This tool provides general educational information only. Limitation law is complex, jurisdiction-specific, and fact-dependent. Always consult a qualified solicitor, attorney, or legal adviser before deciding whether to bring or defend a claim.

Debt limitation periods vary: UK — 6 years from last payment or written acknowledgment (England/Wales); France — 5 years for most debts, 2 years for consumer credit; Germany — 3 years; Lithuania — 10 years for general debts, 3 years for commercial; Ukraine — 3 years; Russia — 3 years.

A long-stop (or absolute) limitation date is the maximum period after which no claim can be brought, regardless of when the claimant discovered the damage. It overrides the standard "date of knowledge" rule. In France it's 20 years from the harmful act; in the UK various long-stops apply (e.g. 15 years for latent damage under s.14B Limitation Act).

Yes, but the rules differ. Minor criminal offences typically have shorter limitation periods. Serious crimes (murder, serious sexual offences, crimes against humanity) are generally imprescriptible — there is no limitation period. In France, minor offences (contraventions) have a 1-year limit; serious crimes (crimes) have no limit.

Employment limitation periods: UK — 3 months from dismissal for most claims (very short!); France — 2 years for most employment disputes; Germany — 3 years (statutory) but contractual terms often shorter; Lithuania — 1 month for unfair dismissal disputes; Ukraine — 1 month for dismissal challenges; Russia — 1 month for dismissal.

This varies by jurisdiction. In England/Wales, parties generally cannot extend or shorten the limitation period by contract (Limitation Act 1980, s.3). In Germany, parties can contractually shorten or (within limits) extend limitation periods. In France, commercial parties can adjust prescription periods between 1 and 10 years.