Limitation periods have many exceptions: the clock can start later than the event itself (from discovery of the harm), pause during negotiations, or reset after a formal acknowledgement. This is general information, not legal advice. Check with a legal professional before relying on any deadline.
Why the same dispute can have wildly different deadlines
A limitation period (called prescription in most civil law countries) is the deadline for bringing a legal claim, after which a court can refuse to hear it even if the claim is otherwise valid. The length depends heavily on the type of dispute and the country: a personal injury claim runs for 10 years in France but just 1 year in Spain, while an employment claim can be as short as 3 months in the UK.
Limitation periods, a few reference points
| Dispute type | United Kingdom | France | Germany |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contract dispute | 6 years | 5 years | 3 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years | 10 years | 3 years |
| Defamation | 1 year | 3 months | 3 years |
Where this tool falls short
This tool shows the general statutory period only. In practice, the clock often does not start on the day of the event: many countries start counting from when the harm was discovered or reasonably knowable, not when it happened, and formal steps like a letter before action, a payment plan, or a lawsuit can pause or restart the clock entirely. None of these exceptions are reflected here.
How these periods are generally counted
Most countries measure the period in full years from a clear starting point (the breach, the injury, the last payment), and once that period lapses, the debtor or defendant gains a formal defence they can raise in court, though they can also choose to waive it. Always confirm the applicable starting date and any pausing events with a legal professional rather than relying on the general rule alone.