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

The judge said the statute of limitations had expired on the claims. —Kc Baker, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

That the holdup in the case was the statute of limitations fits into a growing pattern within the legal landscape. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025

Apple argued that Jong’s claims arose from a single incident in 2019, so the statute of limitations prohibited her from pursuing them in court. —Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025

Their work is far from over, especially with the the statute of limitations for PPP and EIDL fraud being extended from five to 10 years. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025

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