Limitation periods – proposals for reform

A bill is to be published later this year that will propose a “primary” 3-year period for contract (and other) claims starting from, broadly, the date on which the claimant knows of the facts which give rise to the action and a “longstop” 10-year period starting from, broadly, the date of accrual of the cause of action.

The ‘Limitation Bill’ will be published in draft as part of the provisions of the Civil Law Reform Bill later this year (2009) for pre-legislative scrutiny. The draft Limitation Bill is expected to follow the terms of the draft Bill that was published by the Law Commission in 2001 with their report, following their consultation on reform of the Limitation Act