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

Two of those cases were dismissed, however, after a judge ruled that Price’s office failed to seek the proper paperwork — in this case, an arrest warrant — before the statute of limitations expired. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Awuah-Darko and Lloyd Richards live in Europe, and the statute of limitations has run out in Armistead’s case. —Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024

The statute of limitations on such matters lasts only five years. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Both lawsuits were brought under New York City’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows survivors to bring lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has passed. —Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 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