statute of limitations

American  

noun

Law.

1. a statute defining the period within which legal action may be taken.

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statute of limitations British  

noun

1. a legislative enactment prescribing the period of time within which proceedings must be instituted to enforce a right or bring an action at law See also laches

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statute of limitations Cultural  

1. Any law that places a time restriction during which a lawsuit must be brought to court or a crime must be prosecuted.

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Etymology

Origin of statute of limitations

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

statute of limitations

After two appeals, including an appeal to France's highest court, Brinkworth was told her case exceeded the statute of limitations and could not be pursued.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026

But the statute of limitations on manslaughter, the charge most police officials and experts believed was appropriate in this case, had long expired by then.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

On Monday, a jury found that the case was outside the statute of limitations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

In California, for instance, “if you are seeking rescission based on fraud, then the statute of limitations will likely be three years,” Klein & Wilson says.

From MarketWatch ● May 20, 2026

The statute of limitations ticks itself out, day by day, all memory of the crime being washed away.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides