UK Act of Parliament 1980 United Kingdom

Limitation Act 1980

What this means for your business

1 obligations
1 guides
Enforced by
IPO, OPSS, ECJU
Applies to
United Kingdom
On this page
1 compliance obligation, 1 practical guide
Read full text on legislation.gov.uk

What you must do

1 compliance obligation under this legislation.

Other requirements 1

Enforce advowson rights within statutory time limits

If your business has a right to present to or bestow an ecclesiastical benefice (an advowson), you must bring a legal claim to enforce that right in time. The law limits how long you can do this – if you miss the 60‑ or 100‑year deadline your right will be lost. It’s a niche duty that matters only where you hold such a church patronage.

Any Person s.25 Historic England You have a right to present to or bestow an ecclesiastical benefice

Practical guidance

Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.

Keep business records after closing

Record retention requirements that continue after your business closes. Covers how long to keep tax records, employment documents, contracts, and …

Sections and provisions

64 classified provisions from this legislation.

2 Duties 11 Definitions 23 Exemptions

Duties 2

  • s.19A Actions for breach of commonhold duty a kind referred
  • s.25 Time limit for actions to enforce advowsons and extinction of title to advowsons. person

Definitions 11

  • s.1 Time limits under Part I subject to extension or exclusion under Part II.
  • s.4 Special time limit in case of theft.
  • s.5A Additional time limit for actions for damages for late payment of insurance claims
  • s.11A Actions in respect of defective products.
  • s.14 Definition of date of knowledge for purposes of sections 11 to 12.
  • s.18 Settled land and land held on trust.
  • s.33B Extension of time limits because of alternative dispute resolution in certain cross border or domestic contractual disputes ADR entity ADR procedure consumer
  • s.37 Application to the Crown and the Duke of Cornwall.
  • s.38 Interpretation. rentcharge
  • s.40 Transitional provisions, amendments and repeals.
  • Schedule 3 Consequential Amendments

Exemptions 23

  • Schedule 1 Provisions with Respect to Actions to Recover Land
  • s.4A Time limit for actions for defamation or malicious falsehood.
  • s.6 Special time limit for actions in respect of certain loans.
  • s.10A Special time limit for actions by insurers etc in respect of automated vehicles.
  • s.10 Special time limit for claiming contribution.
  • s.11 Special time limit for actions in respect of personal injuries.
  • s.11B Actions against insurers etc of automated vehicles.
  • s.12 Special time limit for actions under Fatal Accidents legislation.
  • s.14A Special time limit for negligence actions where facts relevant to cause of action are not known at date of accrual.
  • s.15 Time limit for actions to recover land.
  • s.21 Time limit for actions in respect of trust property.
  • s.27C Actions for exploitation proceeds orders
  • s.27AB Actions to prohibit dealing with property subject to an external request
  • s.27B Actions for recovery of property for purposes of an external order
  • s.27A Actions for recovery of property obtained through unlawful conduct etc.
  • s.28A Extension for cases where the limitation period is the period under section 14A(4)(b).
  • s.28 Extension of limitation period in case of disability.
  • s.32A Discretionary exclusion of time limit for actions for defamation or malicious falsehood.
  • s.32 Postponement of limitation period in case of fraud, concealment or mistake.
  • s.33 Discretionary exclusion of time limit for actions in respect of personal injuries or death.
  • ... and 3 more exemptions