statute of limitations

noun phrase

: a statute assigning a certain time after which rights cannot be enforced by legal action or offenses cannot be punished

Examples of statute of limitations in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What is the statute of limitations on corporate bad behavior (real or perceived)? —Paul Klein, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

The officer’s plea came just weeks after two other Alameda police officers saw their cases dismissed over concerns that the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office waited too long to charge the men, violating the three-year statute of limitations. —Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024

Additionally, the statute of limitations to challenge transfers to the trusts is just two years. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2024

One defense is that too much time has passed, and the relevant three-year statute of limitations has expired. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

statute of limitations

1

a

: a statute establishing a period of time from the accrual of a cause of action (as upon the occurrence or discovery of an injury) within which a right of action must be exercised compare laches, statute of repose

b

: a criminal statute establishing the period of time within which an offense can be punished after its commission

2

: a period of time established by a statute of limitations for commencing an action or prosecution

3

: an affirmative defense that the statute of limitations has expired