Houses were built on defective foundations. The purchasers sued the builders and later the architects who designed them. The defendants argued that the houses were doomed from the start so that the cause of action accrued, not when the physical damage to the houses occurred, but when the plaintiffs became the owners of the houses … Continue reading Ketteman v Hansel Properties Ltd: HL 1987
Knowledge of the cause of action was sufficiently established by the seeking of professional advice, to set the limitation period running. The act of making the request indicated a sufficient awareness. Citations: Independent 12-Oct-1995 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 14A(5) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 20 December 2022; Ref: scu.90557
In 1987, and before the claim was issued in 1992 the claimant had issued a claim which had never been served. She sought to extend the limitation period arguing that she had not acquired the requisite knowledge until later, Held: She had had the requisite knowledge in 1985. Waite LJ observed that her issue of … Continue reading Whitfield v North Durham Health Authority: CA 1995
The plaintiff issued proceedings against her father and mother, alleging physical and sexual abuse against her father and want of parental care against her mother. The claim against the father was in trespass, but that against her mother was in negligence. Held: The claim against the father was governed by the six years limitation period, … Continue reading Seymour v Williams: CA 1995
Corporate insolvency proceedings based on a statutory demand for monies due under a previous judgment are an ‘action on a judgment’ within s 24 rather than a method of enforcing or executing the judgment. They are barred by s 24 if brought more than six years after the judgment was obtained. S 24(1) of the … Continue reading Re A Debtor: 1977
The substitution of a successor party to a claim does not constitute a new claim for limitation purposes. Millett LJ considered the objects of the 1980 Act: ‘The 1980 Act was enacted in order to implement the recommendations of the Twenty-First Report of the Law Reform Committee (Final Report on Limitation of Actions) (Cmnd 6923) … Continue reading Yorkshire Regional Health Authority v Fairclough Building Ltd and Another: CA 16 Nov 1995
Limitation period for claims for rent against guarantor under seal is six years. Citations: Times 22-Nov-1995 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 19 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 09 December 2022; Ref: scu.88854
Limitation periods are more easily set aside in defamation cases. The court has a wide discretion. Citations: Times 15-Nov-1995 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 32A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Defamation Updated: 09 December 2022; Ref: scu.84515
Members of Lloyd’s who faced re-insurance underwriting liabilities alleged negligence on the part of the active underwriter, their members’ agents and their syndicates’ managing agents. Limitation defences were raised. Held: Mere knowledge of the damage of which complaint is later made, is not sufficient to start time running. Hoffmann LJ emphasised the statutory words ‘attributable … Continue reading Hallam-Eames and Others v Merrett Syndicates Ltd and Others: CA 25 Jan 1995
The plaintiff loaned money on the basis of a negligent survey by the defendant. The borrower subsequently defaulted, and the lender issued a writ. The defendant said that the claim was time barred. Held: The court allowed the plaintiff’s appeal. A cause of action against surveyor arose only when the loss was sustained and crystalised, … Continue reading First National Comercial Bank plc v Humberts: CA 27 Jan 1995
Allowing an action to continue after the limitation period was not same as a striking out. Citations: Times 16-Feb-1995 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 33 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 09 December 2022; Ref: scu.78240
A claimant was not fixed with knowledge of the source of his injury by being referred for medical opinion. He could not be expected to understand the source of this injury without expert assistance, and time did not run until such assistance was obtained. Judges: Henry LJ Citations: Times 28-May-1999, [1999] EWCA Civ 1486, [1999] … Continue reading Ali v Courtaulds Textiles Ltd: CA 26 May 1999
Defendant’s strike out application – limitation Judges: Mann J Citations: [2020] EWHC 1593 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 32 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Various Claimants v News Group Newspapers Ltd (1436) ChD 4-Jun-2020 . . Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete. Limitation, Torts – Other … Continue reading Various Claimants v News Group Newspapers Ltd: ChD 19 Jun 2020
An administrator de son tort, who was also a beneficiary, held the estate property on trust, and so could not establish adverse possession against the estate during the period of trusteeship. He held a sufficient interest in the assets already. A delay in the application for the grant did not apply where time had not … Continue reading Earnshaw and Others v Hartley: CA 31 Mar 1999
The plaintiff’s car was struck by a company car driven by the defendant in the course of her employment and she sought damages. Her action, against the employer, was struck out as late under the 1980 Act. She then commenced an action against the driver defendant. Held: The plaintiff was allowed to seek the exercise … Continue reading Shapland v Palmer: CA 23 Mar 1999
Citations: [1999] EWCA Civ 886 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 33 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Coad v Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority CA 17-Jul-1996 A nurse suffered a back injury in 1983 in the course of her employment. She left the employment of the health authority in either 1990 or 1991. … Continue reading Dale v Michelin Tyre Plc: CA 3 Mar 1999
A beneficiary under an intestacy, who tried to position himself as owner of assets in the estate, became a constructive trustee of those assets, with or without letters of administration, and accordingly the claim for the return of the land was not time-barred. ‘Parliament, wittingly or unwittingly has drawn a distinction between personal representatives and … Continue reading James v Williams: CA 8 Mar 1999
Citations: [1997] PNLQ 252 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 32 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Ezekiel v Lehrer ChD 21-Mar-2001 The claimant had given instructions to the defendant with regard to a charge. The defendant came to know that he had made an error, and when asked by the claimant, declined to answer, … Continue reading Markes v Coodes: 1997
The Truro Crown Court had allowed Mr Adair’s appeal against his conviction for obstructing a highway. The prosecutor appealed. Held: It had to be decided whether a particular road had become by presumed dedication a public highway. The use relied on constituted an offence under section 34(1) of the 1988 Act. A claim of long … Continue reading Robinson v Adair: QBD 2 Mar 1995
The cause of action in an action for professional negligence in purchase of land ran from the date of exchange of contracts not completion, and the limitation period was to be calculated accordingly. Judges: Simon Brown, Otton, Schiemann LJJ Citations: Times 08-Jan-1999, Gazette 03-Feb-1999, [1998] EWCA Civ 1939, [1999] 1 WLR 1849, [1999] PNLR 565 … Continue reading Byrne and Byrne v Hall Pain and Foster (a Firm) and others: CA 11 Dec 1998
The plaintiff was treated for depression by the defendant by prescription of drugs. She sufferred a reaction, but now claimed that the doctor’s slow reaction caused her to suffer lasting injury. The question on appeal was, if a plaintiff suffers injuries some of which the plaintiff knows to be attributable to the act or omission … Continue reading Roberts vWinbow (3): CA 4 Dec 1998
Bank not liable for fraud of customer The appellant sought to make the bank liable for a fraud committed by the Bank’s customer, the appellant saying that the Bank knew or ought to have known of the fraud. The court was asked whether a party liable only as a dishonest assistant was a trustee, and … Continue reading Williams v Central Bank of Nigeria: SC 19 Feb 2014
A positive averment by defendant short of a claim for relief did not constitute a ‘claim’ under the section, and the judge had jurisdiction to allow a later amendment claiming relief as an original counterclaim. It was not barred either under RSC 20 (5) Citations: Gazette 14-Oct-1998, [1998] EWCA Civ 1443, [1999] 1 WLR 231 … Continue reading JFS (UK) Limited Tilghman Wheelabrator Limited v Dwr Cymru Cyf: CA 18 Sep 1998
Where an action had been begun on basis of allegations of negligence and breach of trust, new allegations of fraud where quite separate new causes of claim, and went beyond amendments and were disallowed outside the relevant limitation period. Sections 23 and 36 and the absence of express statutory mention in the 1980 Act of … Continue reading Paragon Finance Plc (Formerly Known As National Home Loans Corporation Plc v D B Thakerar and Co (a Firm); Ranga and Co (a Firm) and Sterling Financial Services Limited: CA 21 Jul 1998
The landlord of a block of flats needed vacant possession to pursue redevelopment. The respondent solicitors failed to give the necessary notice in good time, delaying the development by a year. The landlord appellant delayed five years before claiming damages, and now appealed against denial of his claim, arguing that section 11 produced in the … Continue reading Dunlop v McGowans: HL 6 Mar 1980
Citations: [1998] EWCA Civ 1328 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 5 6 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation, Contract Updated: 23 November 2022; Ref: scu.144807
The defendant solicitor appealed refusal of an order to strike out the claim. The claimant alleged breach of trust. The claimant asserted a fraudulent witholding of information to suggest that any breach of trust had happened. The defendant said that the claimant had sufficient knowledge independent of any concealment to begin the limitation period. Held: … Continue reading Collins v Brebner: CA 19 Jun 1997
The plaintiff suffered injury walking a gangway onto a moored ship. Her solicitors failed to identify the owner of the ship, misspelling the name and failing to search in the General Register of Shipping and Seamen. The eventual claim was made outside the basic limitation period. Was the plaintiff fixed with knowledge under section 14(3)(b)? … Continue reading Henderson v Temple Pier Company Limited: CA 23 Apr 1998
The plaintiff sought damages for the negligence of the respondent in her care at birth. Years later the family concluded that her condition was a result of negligence. They waited until she was 21, when they mistakenly believed that she became an adult, and made a claim. Held: The defendant’s appeal succeeded. The court had … Continue reading O’Driscoll v Dudley Health Authority: CA 30 Apr 1998
Where a first writ issued within the primary limitation period is itself ineffective (although not a nullity) through having been issued variously without consent against a company in liquidation. Held: The Walkley principle does not apply to defeat in limine a second action, notwithstanding that in each of those cases the defect was recognised to … Continue reading Mcevoy v AA Welding and Fabrication Ltd: CA 15 Dec 1997
The plaintiff sought damages for deafness following exposure to excessive noise during his employment with the first and second defendants some 20 to 35 years previously. He issued his writ six years after the date of knowledge under LA section 14 and therefore three years after expiry of the limitation period. The judge had declined … Continue reading Price v United Engineering Steels Limited; J J Habershon and Sons Limited: CA 12 Dec 1997
Where there was still a possibility of a claim for restitution, a decision to strike out the action on the basis that there was no extant cause of action, was wrong. Citations: Times 15-May-1997 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 35(5) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Pontin v Wood CA 1962 The writ had been … Continue reading Brennan v Brighton Borough Council: CA 7 May 1997
The plaintiffs appealed from an order striking out their claim for want of prosecution. The defendant’s property had been sold by the mortgagees, and the plaintiffs as assignees of their debt sought to recover the balance outstanding from the defendants. The defendant had been in default since 1984. The defendants said that the claim was … Continue reading Hopkinson and Others and Birmingham Mid-Shires Building Society v Tupper: CA 30 Jan 1997
The normal limitation period applies to directors’ disqualification applications. Citations: Gazette 26-Feb-1997, [1997] EWCA Civ 931, Times 17-Feb-1997 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 39 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Halstead v Council of City of Manchester CA 23-Oct-1997 Land had been compulsorily purchased, and the compensation agreed, but after long delays in payment, … Continue reading Moore and Another v Gadd and Another: CA 5 Feb 1997
Citations: [1996] EWCA Civ 1132, [1997] 2 All ER 395 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Walkley v Precision Forgings Ltd HL 1979 The plaintiff tried to bring a second action in respect of an industrial injury claim outside the limitation period so as to overcome the likelihood that his first action, although timeous, … Continue reading Forward v Hendricks: CA 6 Dec 1996
The claimant bought two airline tickets, but did not use them. Ten years later he requested a refund. Held: Any appeal would be hopeless. Citations: [1996] EWCA Civ 922 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 5 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Contract, Limitation Updated: 03 November 2022; Ref: scu.140789
Limitation rules were not to be dis-applied merely because the defendant was insured. Citations: Gazette 15-Jan-1997, Times 15-Nov-1996 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 03 November 2022; Ref: scu.82710
The defendant resisted the plaintiff’s claim for personal injuries as out of time. His explanation for not pursuing inquiries with his solicitor was that he was an over-stayer who feared deportation. Held: Having good reason to make such inquiries, it was reasonable for him to do so despite his immigration status. Citations: [1997] 8 Med … Continue reading Coban v Aynur Allen F Barnes and Son (a Firm): CA 8 Oct 1996
The claimant sought to enforce a post employment restrictive covenant given by the defendant. The defendant replied that the clause was too widely framed and was unreasonable since it applied to a temination of his contract ‘howsoever occasioned’. The employer appealed the decision against it based on D -v- M. Held: It was necessary to … Continue reading Rock Refrigeration Limited v Jones and Seward Refrigeration Limited: CA 10 Oct 1996
Failure to get advice for fear of law enforcement not good reason to extend time. Citations: Times 14-Oct-1996 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 14A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 31 October 2022; Ref: scu.79249
The plaintiffs had discovered that the defendant surveyors had negligently failed to observe that there was dry rot but did not start proceedings until other negligence was discovered more than six years later. Held: Although the negligent survey had led to two heads of loss there was only one cause of action. Since the plaintiffs … Continue reading Hamlin and Another v Edwin Evans (A Firm): CA 15 Jul 1996
Limitation runs only from date of demand on loan with no fixed repayment date. Citations: Times 09-May-1996 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 6(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 31 October 2022; Ref: scu.78486
The statutory time limit under the Limitation Act applied only to the right to take substantive proceedings and had nothing whatever to do with the procedural machinery for enforcing a judgment when one was obtained. The Act of 1875 brought about a fundamental change. The old absolute time bar on execution after 20 years, subsequently … Continue reading Lowsley and Another v Forbes: CA 21 Mar 1996
The court was asked as to the extent and nature of knowledge required to start time running against a plaintiff in a negligence case.Purchas LJ said: ‘It is to be noted that a firm belief held by the plaintiff that his injury was attributable to act or omission of the defendant, but in respect of … Continue reading Nash v Eli Lilley and Co: CA 1993
Appeals against a judge’s use of his judicial discretion exercised on the extension of time for commencement of proceedings will succeed only with difficulty. Citations: Times 19-May-1994, [1995] PIQR 135 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 33(1)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Chagos Islanders v Attorney-General and Another CA 22-Jul-2004 The claimants sought leave … Continue reading Yates v Thakeham Tiles Ltd: CA 19 May 1994
Concealment by Defendant after the event does not stop time running against Plaintiff. Citations: Times 01-Jul-1994, Independent 08-Jul-1994 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 32(1)(b) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Sheldon and Others v R H M Outhwaite (Underwriting Agencies) Ltd QBD 8-Dec-1993 Deliberate concealment could prevent the limitation period from running. . . … Continue reading Sheldon and Others v R H Outhwaite (Underwriting Agencies) Ltd and Others: CA 1 Jul 1994
The plaintiff had a lump on her breast. The surgeon, without first subjecting the lump to a microscopic examination in order to determine whether it was cancerous or benign, removed the breast. This was in 1973. The lump was subsequently found to be benign. The patient knew very soon after the operation that the lump … Continue reading Dobbie v Medway Health Authority: CA 11 May 1994
The limitation period starts when the plaintiff realizes that her injury may have been caused by the failure of the medical practitioner. ‘Attributable to’ means ‘capable of being attributed to’ and not ’caused by’. ‘Act or omission’ does not equate with ‘negligence’, ‘actionable’ or ‘tortious’. Citations: Ind Summary 26-Jul-1993, Times 06-Jul-1993, [1993] 4 Med L … Continue reading Broadley and Guy v Chapman and Co: CA 26 Jul 1993
Citations: [1996] EWCA Civ 1197 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 33 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Coad v Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority CA 17-Jul-1996 A nurse suffered a back injury in 1983 in the course of her employment. She left the employment of the health authority in either 1990 or 1991. … Continue reading Riddell v Wessex Regional Hospital Authority and Another: CA 12 Dec 1996
Applicable time limit for the bringing of claims arising out of a public procurement process which is not governed by the Public Contracts (and similar) Regulations. It raises the stark contrast between the 3-month time limit required for an application for judicial review, and the 6-year limit for a claim for breach of statutory duty … Continue reading The Secretary of State for Transport v Arriva Rail East Midlands Ltd (‘Arriva’): CA 18 Dec 2019
(Australia) Lord Wilbeforce said: ‘A breach of a repudiatory character . . entitles the innocent party, unless he waives the breach, to claim to be released from further performance of his obligations under the contract. So far their Lordships of course agree. One of these obligations, counsel proceeded to argue, was to bring any action … Continue reading Port Jackson Stevedoring Pty. Limited v Salmond and Spraggon (Australia) Pty. Limited: PC 10 Jul 1980
The plaintiff appealed a finding that she had sufficient knowledge of her possible claim for medical negligence against the defendants, and that she was out of time. She had known of her condition, but said she had no sufficient reason to see that it might have arisen from the negligence now found. Held: The court … Continue reading Smith v Leicestershire Health Authority: CA 29 Jan 1998
LRA KEYWORDS – Adverse possession claim – Schedule 6 to the Land Registration Act 2002 – effect of Sections 96 and 97 of the 2002 Act – acknowledgment of title – Section 29 of the Limitation Act 1980 – Without prejudice’ correspondence – whether privileged – alleged perjury Citations: [2008] EWLandRA 2008 – 0321 Links: … Continue reading Michael Walton v Kerguelen Investments Limited (Practice and Procedure): LRA 22 Dec 2008
LRA Adverse possession – locus standi of a person not having an interest in the land – adding new parties – holding a substantive hearing in absence of a party – Limitation Act 1980 Section 15; Schedule 1, paragraphs 1 and 8 – Land Registration Act 2002 Schedule 4; Adjudicator to Her Majesty’s Land Registry … Continue reading Arnold and Arnold v Roughton Land Trust Musker and Musker, (Practice and Procedure): LRA 5 Nov 2007
Judges: Underhill VP, Irwin , Nicola Davies LJJ Citations: [2019] EWCA Civ 1707, [2019] WLR(D) 568 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 9 39 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Employment, Limitation Updated: 31 August 2022; Ref: scu.642660
The claimants wished to claim damages arising from the participation by the defendants in an unlawful cartel. The Court of Appeal had said that the claim was out of time, and that the claimants would have to seek an extension of time to bring their claim. Held: The Tribunal acted on the basis that it … Continue reading BCL Old Co Ltd and Others Basf Se (Formerly Basf Ag) and Others: CAT 19 Nov 2009
Whether the cause of action for the outstanding sums accrued when D first defaulted in his payments or only when D failed to comply with the default notice stipulated by CCA s.87(1) and required by clause 8f of the Agreement. D appealed from a finding against him. Held: The appeal failed. ‘The effect of the … Continue reading Doyle v PRA Group (UK) Ltd: CA 23 Jan 2019
The defendant had failed himself to repair his property, and the Local Authority carried out the work itself under the 1957 Act. It sought to recover the associated costs from the defendant, but he said that their claim was time barred, being more than six years after the work had been concluded. The authority argued … Continue reading Swansea City Council v Glass: CA 1992
The court preferred the more objective approach as to looking at when a plaintiff was to be fixed with knowledge of his injury: ‘If the purpose of section 14(3) is to create deemed or constructive knowledge in circumstances where there is no actual knowledge, it is highly improbable that Parliament intended that the application of … Continue reading Parry v Clwyd Health Authority: QBD 1996
A court can turn down, and refuse to hear or accept claims, which were similar to a previous, statute barred, deceit claim. Citations: Times 10-May-1994 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Goose v Wilson Sandford and Co and Mainon CA 13-Feb-1998 A judge was properly criticised for … Continue reading Goose v Wilson Sandford and Co (A Firm) and Another: ChD 10 May 1994
The creditor appealed the decision to set aside a statutory demand as statute barred. Held: The appeal was dismissed. Bankruptcy proceedings based on a statutory demand for moneys due under a previous default judgment constituted ‘an action upon a judgment’ within s24(1). Insolvency proceedings constituted a fresh action or proceeding newly brought, of the kind … Continue reading Re a Debtor: ChD 1997
A claim against a bank for repayment of a deposit does not of itself restart the limitation period on a claim, but where a customer revoked a demand, asking for payment at next maturity, the contract continued and the limitation period started afresh. Citations: Times 10-Dec-1998, Gazette 10-Dec-1998, [1998] EWCA Civ 1776 Statutes: Limitation Act … Continue reading Mahomed v Bank of Baroda: CA 10 Dec 1998
The court considered the effect on limitation of a person taking steps to disguise the identity of a potential defendant. Held: Where the employer’s identity had been ‘hidden’ under mere reference to a corporate group, the date of knowledge only came when the employee learned his employer’s actual name. Citations: [1980] 1 WLR 968 Statutes: … Continue reading Simpson v Norwest Holst Southern Ltd: CA 1980
The court considered whether a solicitor acting for a potential plaintiff was considered to be an expert for the purposes of the section. Held: Purchas LJ said: ‘Of course as advice from a solicitor as to the legal consequences of the act or omission is not relevant his contribution can only consist of factual information. … Continue reading Nash v Eli Lilly and Co: CA 1993
The wrong of the servant or agent for which the master or principal is liable is one committed in the case of a servant in the course of his employment, and in the case of an agent in the course of his authority. It is fundamental to the whole approach to vicarious liability that an … Continue reading Generale Bank Nederland Nv (Formerly Credit Lyonnais Bank Nederland Nv) v Export Credits Guarantee Department: HL 19 Feb 1999
A statutory demand by the Inland Revenue, which was based upon a debt which was statute barred, was not supportable and had to be set aside. The demand was based upon the judgement obtained by the Inland Revenue, and not upon the underlying tax debt. The limitation arrangements were different. Citations: Times 10-Apr-2000 Statutes: Limitation … Continue reading In Re A Debtor (No 647-Sd-1999): ChD 10 Apr 2000
A new claim was not deemed to have been made until the pleading was actually amended for limitation purposes, and should not be allowed after the limitation period had expired. The date of the application for leave to amend was not at issue. The court will normally require the claimant to bring fresh proceedings, in … Continue reading Welsh Development Agency v Redpath Dorman Long Ltd: CA 4 Apr 1994
The court considered the meaning of ‘war’ in the context of an insurance contract: ‘The issue is not whether the events in Lebanon were recognised in the United Kingdom as amounting to a civil war in the sense in which the term is used in Public International Law with the corollary that this country would, … Continue reading Spinneys (1948) Ltd v Royal Insurance Co Ltd: 1980
The case was heard against the background of an armed conflict between Japan and China. The charterparty contract included a clause providing for cancellation ‘if war breaks out involving Japan’. Held: The court rejected an argument that the meaning of ‘war’, when found in a charterparty, was to depend on either the question whether war … Continue reading Kawasaki Kisen Kabushiki Kaisha of Kobe v Bantham Steamship Company Limited: CA 1939
The plaintiff had issued a writ claiming damages for personal injuries caused by negligent driving more than three years after the accident, and now wanted to amend the writ by adding a claim for trespass to the person based on the same facts. The court asked whether the applicable limitation Act covered an allegation of … Continue reading Kruber v Grzesiak: 1963
The parties had agreed for a lease, and the tenant entered possession, but no formal lease was executed. The tenant stopped paying rent in 1977 or 1984. He now claimed rectification of the registers to show him as proprietor. The landlord argued that as a lease in writing, time ran from the notice to quit. … Continue reading Long v Tower Hamlets London Borough Council: ChD 20 Mar 1996
The plaintiff, then a 16 year old girl slipped and fell whilst employed at the defendant’s factory. The limitation period expired on her 21st birthday. She commenced proceedings five and a half months after that date. The judge extended time under LA section 33, holding that he could only consider prejudice suffered by the defendant … Continue reading Donovan v Gwentoys Ltd: HL 1990
A lease had been granted with a break clause, which the tenant exercised. The Landlord said it had not complied with its obligations and was not free to exercise that clause. The clause had included the word ‘landlord’ where it should have read ‘tenant’. Held: The tenant’s appeal failed. The judge was correct to allow … Continue reading Littman and Another v Aspen Oil (Broking) Ltd: CA 19 Dec 2005
The company owner eventually made a positive decision not to take any possession proceedings against the occupiers following service of a notice to quit. The occupiers then remained in possession for more than 12 years. Held: After serving a notice to quit the owner did not take any further steps to obtain possession, even after … Continue reading Batsford Estates (1983) Company Ltd v Taylor and Another: CA 29 Apr 2005
Judges: Walker J Citations: [2019] EWHC 1011 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation, Contract Updated: 23 June 2022; Ref: scu.636175
In 1975 the tenant sought to exercise his right to purchase the freehold reversion of his property. The landlord argued that the rent payable precluded any such entitlement. Under the law as then understood, the landlord’s contention appeared correct. The leaseholder proceeded no further. In 1980 the law was clarified so as to indicate that … Continue reading Collin v Duke of Westminster: CA 1985
An action may be brought on a judgment to enforce it, if it is still within the relevant limitation period: ‘Suing on a judgment, at all events for the first time, cannot be said to defeat legislative policy. That is plain from the very language of section 24 . . Here the second action was, … Continue reading ED and F Man (Sugar) v Haryanto: CA 17 Jul 1996
Citations: [2002] EWCA Civ 1970 Links: Bailii Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 33(3) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Personal Injury, Limitation Updated: 08 June 2022; Ref: scu.189025
The landlord’s agents wrote to the proposed tenant offering a quarterly tenancy of the premises. The tenancy was to commence at a future date. The defendant endorsed the letter and returned it to say he would abide by the terms, and he was allowed into possession. He ceased to pay rent, and eventually came to … Continue reading Long v Tower Hamlets London Borough Council: ChD 29 Mar 1996
A failure by an adviser to make his position clear when he thought he had been negligent, could constitute a ‘deliberate’ act within section 32 even if the defendant’s actions were not motivated by any intention to deceive the claimant: ‘it is not necessary for the purpose of extending the limitation period pursuant to Section … Continue reading James Brocklesby v Armitage and Guest (a Firm): CA 9 Jul 1999
Where a personal injury action had been delayed for five years by bad advice from solicitors and counsel, the court’s discretion should be exercised to allow the plaintiff to proceed with her claim, not herself being responsible for the delay.Sir Christopher Staughton (referring to Whitfield v Durham) said: ‘If that passage means that as a … Continue reading Das v Ganju: CA 31 Mar 1999
Citations: [1998] EWCA Civ 1000 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – McDonnell and Another v Walker CA 24-Nov-2009 The defendant appealed against the disapplication of section 11 of the 1980 Act under section 33. Held: The appeal succeeded. The defendant had not contributed significantly to the delay: ‘the defendant received claims … Continue reading A B and others v Liverpool City Council; Nugent Care Society (Formerly Catholic Social Services [Liverpool]) and Trustees of National Children’s Home and Orphanage Registered: CA 15 Jun 1998
The company sought compensation for land taken under compulsory purchase powers by the defendants several years before. It now appealed against the defeat of its claim as time-barred. Held: The appeal failed. The limitation period for a claim for a compensation payment runs from the date of the entry into possession of the land by … Continue reading London Borough of Hillingdon v ARC Limited: CA 7 Apr 1998
The test of ‘When a plaintiff became aware of the cause of an injury’ is a subjective test of what passed through plaintiff’s mind. ‘(1) the knowledge required to satisfy s14(1)(b) is a broad knowledge of the essence of the causally relevant act or omission to which the injury is attributable; (2) ‘attributable’ in this … Continue reading Spargo v North Essex District Health Authority: CA 13 Mar 1997
The plaintiff had been a passenger in a car, and sought damages from the car driver, from an injury occurring as the car crashed. Proceedings were not begun within the three year limit. The proceedings were begun on the basis of an implausible version of events which he had agreed with the defendant shortly after … Continue reading Samuels v Walker: CA 16 May 1997
The claimant, Capacious Investments Ltd, brought proceedings against Tang’s estate for damages for the loss of use and occupation, and also an account of profits and damages for loss and damage incurred, for example by encumbering the property with leases. It obtained an account of profits and an award of compensatory damages as a result … Continue reading Personal Representatives of Tang Man Sit v Capacious Investments Ltd: PC 18 Dec 1995
The plaintiffs, with the leave of the court, had obtained garnishee and charging orders nisi against the debtor 11 and a half years after they had obtained a consent judgment. Held: An application by the judgment debtor to set aside the orders on the ground that they were statute barred under section 24(1) should be … Continue reading Lowsley and Another v Forbes (Trading As I E Design Services): HL 29 Jul 1998
Burden is on the plaintiff to show when time began in personal injuries action. Citations: Times 05-Jul-1995 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 11 Limitation Updated: 19 May 2022; Ref: scu.79675
Husband and wife were involved in a custody dispute. The father made serious but false allegations to the press. She now claimed in defamation, but he relied upon limitation. She said the facts had only become known to her much later. Held: ‘Facts relevant to cause’ referred to those facts necessary to be pleaded but … Continue reading C v Mirror Group Newspapers and Others: CA 21 Jun 1996
The claimant sought damages after having bought a house after receiving an allegedly negligent report on the concrete. She had asked to be allowed to add a third party (the local authority who had passed the building) as a defendant, but the request was outside the primary limitation period and was refused and again on … Continue reading Busby v Cooper; Busby v Abbey National plc; Busby v Lumby: CA 2 Apr 1996
The defendant company traded as A and J Bull Containers. They hired out a builder’s skip which was left out, unlit, on the highway at night. A cyclist rode into it and died. An information was laid against ‘A J Bull Ltd’, charging an offence under the Highways Act 1980. The hearing took place after … Continue reading Marco (Croydon) Ltd v Metropolitan Police Commissioner: QBD 1983
The plaintiff tried to bring a second action in respect of an industrial injury claim outside the limitation period so as to overcome the likelihood that his first action, although timeous, would be dismissed for want of prosecution. Held: He could not do so. He was not prejudiced by the primary limitation period since he … Continue reading Walkley v Precision Forgings Ltd: HL 1979
Judges: Harman J Citations: [1988] 1 Ch 414 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 21(3) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Henchley and Others v Thompson ChD 16-Feb-2017 The Claimants sought an order directing the Defendant to provide a full account of his dealings with the assets of the two trusts as a trustee or … Continue reading Attorney General v Cocke: ChD 1988
Limitation does not run in favour of a thief. A painting stolen during the war and dealt with by those knowing its true origin remained in the ownership of the original owner however long it had been held by someone who was not a purchaser in good faith. Moses J said: ‘In resolving the disputes … Continue reading Gotha City v Sotheby’s and Another; Federal Republic of Germany v Same: QBD 9 Sep 1998
The plaintiff’s solicitors, out of negligence, failed to issue a writ until one month after the limitation period had expired. The application to extend the period was rejected at first instance since he had an unanswerable claim against his solicitors. Held: The discretion under the section arises notwithstanding a plaintiff’s solicitors’ perhaps far greater negligence … Continue reading Thompson v Brown Construction (Ebbw Vale) Ltd: HL 1981
A Judge has a discretion to extend the limitation period where memory has recovered after a long delay. Citations: Gazette 30-Apr-1997 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 33 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 11 May 2022; Ref: scu.89865
‘Disability’ has same meaning for limitation purposes as being an infant, or subject to mental incapacity. Citations: Times 19-May-1997 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 28 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Limitation Updated: 11 May 2022; Ref: scu.89866
Supreme Court of Canada – Limitation of actions – Torts – Assault and battery – Incest – Woman bringing action against father for damages for incest – Whether or not action limited by Limitations Act – Application of the reasonable discoverability principle – Whether or not incest a separate and distinct tort – Limitations Act, … Continue reading KM v HM: 29 Oct 1992
The Council had taken possession of the company’s land under compulsory purchase powers, but the company delayed its claim for compensation, and the Council now said that the claim was time barred. Held: The claim was indeed time barred. The cause of action for an entry under a compulsory purchase arose at the date of … Continue reading Hillingdon London Borough Council v ARC Ltd: ChD 12 Jun 1997
A claim against an employer for a failure to give advice which might have mitigated personal injury is not itself a claim for personal injuries, and so is subject to the normal three year limitation period. Citations: Times 14-May-1999 Statutes: Limitation Act 1980 11 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Personal Injury, Limitation Updated: 10 May 2022; … Continue reading Gaud v Leeds Health Authority: CA 14 May 1999