IE
(LRC Revised)
Statutory Text (1 Articles)
Number 6 of 1957
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS 1957
REVISED
Updated to 9 December 2025
Changes to legislation
as of 10 July 2026, this Act is up to date with all changes known to be in force.
This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the
Statute of Limitations 1957
. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under
the
Law Reform Commission Act 1975
(3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation
of statute law.
All Acts up to and including
Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2025
(14/2025), enacted 10 December 2025, and all statutory instruments up to and including
Avian Influenza (Temporary Measures) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2025
(S.I. No. 601 of 2025), made 9 December 2025, were considered in the preparation
of this Revised Act.
Disclaimer: While every care has
been taken in the preparation of this Revised Act, the Law Reform Commission can assume
no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning
the
accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided and does not
accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions. Please notify
any
errors, omissions and comments by email to revisedacts@lawreform.ie.
Number
6
of
1957
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS 1957
REVISED
Updated to 9 December 2025
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Part I
.
PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL.
Section
1.
Short title and commencement.
2.
General provisions as to interpretation.
3.
Application to the State.
4.
Non-application to proceedings in respect of the forfeiture of a ship.
5.
Saving for equitable jurisdiction to refuse relief for acquiescence or otherwise.
6.
Provisions as to set-off and counterclaim.
7.
Saving for other limitation enactments in respect of actions.
8.
Provisions as to actions barred and pending on the operative date.
9.
Repeals.
Part II.
PERIODS OF LIMITATION FOR DIFFERENT CLASSES OF ACTION.
10.
Part II to be subject to provisions of Part III relating to disability, acknowledgement,
part payment, fraud and mistake.
Actions of contract and tort and certain other actions
11.
Limitation of actions of contract and tort and certain other actions.
11A.
Limitation of actions for damages for infringements of competition law.
12.
Limitation in case of successive conversions, and extinction of title of owner of
converted goods.
Actions to recover land
13.
Limitation of actions to recover land.
14.
Accrual of right of action (present interests in land).
15.
Accrual of right of action (future interests in land).
16.
Accrual of right of action (forfeiture or breach of condition).
17.
Accrual of right of action (certain tenancies).
18.
Right of action not to accrue unless there is adverse possession.
19.
Cure of defective disentailing assurance.
20.
No right of action to be preserved by formal entry or continual claim.
21.
Possession of one co-parcener, etc., not to be possession of others.
22.
Possession of younger brother, etc., not be possession of heir.
23.
Administration to date back to death.
24.
Extinction of title to land after expiration of period limited for actions to recover
land.
25.
Equitable estates in land, and land held on trust.
Actions to recover settled chattels
26.
Actions to recover settled chattels.
Actions to recover arrears of rentcharges, conventional rents, dower and annuities
charged on personal property
27.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of a rentcharge.
28.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of a conventional rent.
29.
Warrants under section 28 of the Land Act, 1933.
30.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of dower.
31.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of annuity charged on personal property.
Actions in respect of mortgages and charges
32.
Limitation of actions by incumbrancers claiming sale of land.
33.
Extinction of title of mortgagee to mortgaged land after expiration of period for
action claiming sale of land.
34.
Limitation of redemption actions (land).
35.
Extinction of title of mortgagor to mortgaged land after expiration of period for
action to redeem land.
36.
Limitation of actions to recover principal money secured by a charge on land or personal
property.
37.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of interest on a mortgage or charge.
38.
Extinction of right of mortgagee or chargeant to mortgage debt at expiration of period
for action to recover land or claiming sale of land.
39.
Extinction of right of mortgagee or chargeant to principal sum secured by mortgage
or charge on personal property after expiration of period for action to recover principal
sum.
40.
Limitation of actions in respect of certain personal rights in or over land, such
as right of support, etc.
41.
Extinction of personal right in or over land, such as a right of support, etc., after
expiration of period for action in respect of such right.
42.
Restriction on recovery under section 26 of the Agricultural Credit Act, 1947, of
interest on chattel mortgages.
Actions in respect of trust property
43.
Limitation of actions against trustees.
44.
Exclusion of actions against trustees in cases of fraud or retention of trust property.
Actions in respect of the estates of deceased persons
45.
Limitation of actions to recover personal estate of deceased persons.
46.
Exclusion of actions against personal representatives in cases of fraud.
Part III.
EXTENSION OF LIMITATION PERIODS IN CASE OF DISABILITY, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, PART PAYMENT,
FRAUD AND MISTAKE.
Chapter I.
Interpretation
.
47.
Interpretation (Part III).
Chapter II.
Disability
.
48.
Person under a disability.
48A.
Disability of certain persons for purpose of bringing certain actions arising out
of acts of sexual abuse.
49.
Extension of limitation period in case of disability.
Chapter III.
Acknowledgment
.
50.
Meaning of “
acknowledgment
”.
51.
Fresh accrual of right of action on acknowledgment (action to recover land).
52.
Fresh accrual of right of action on acknowledgment (action by mortgagee to recover
land).
53.
Fresh accrual of right of action on acknowledgment (action by incumbrancer claiming
sale of land).
54.
Effect of acknowledgment on right of action to redeem mortgaged land in mortgagee’s possession.
55.
Fresh accrual of right of action on acknowledgment (action in respect of personal
right in or over land, such as right of support, etc.).
56.
Fresh accrual of right of action on acknowledgment (action to recover debt).
57.
Fresh accrual of right of action on acknowledgment (action claiming personal estate
of deceased person).
58.
Formal provisions as to acknowledgment.
59.
Effect of acknowledgment on persons other than the maker or recipient.
60.
Exemption of acknowledgment from stamp duty.
Chapter IV.
Part payment
.
61.
Meaning of “
payment
”.
62.
Fresh accrual of right of action on payment (action by mortgagee to recover land).
63.
Fresh accrual of right of action on payment (action by incumbrancer claiming sale
of land).
64.
Effect of payment on right of action to redeem mortgaged land in mortgagee’s possession.
65.
Fresh accrual of right of action on payment (action to recover debt).
66.
Fresh accrual of right of action on payment (action claiming personal estate of deceased
person).
67.
Formal provisions as to payment.
68.
Effect of payment on persons other than the maker or recipient.
69.
Appropriation of payment in respect of debts.
70.
Endorsement of payment by creditor not to be evidence of payment.
Chapter V.
Fraud and mistake
.
71.
Postponement of limitation period in case of fraud.
72.
Postponement of limitation period in case of mistake.
Part IV.
APPLICATION OF THIS ACT AND OTHER LIMITATION ENACTMENTS TO ARBITRATIONS.
73.
Interpretation (Part IV).
74.
Commencement of arbitration.
75.
Application of Act and other limitation enactments to arbitrations.
76.
Accrual of cause of action where agreement makes award thereunder a condition precedent
to commencement of action.
77.
Power of Court to extend time where it sets aside award or orders abritration to cease
to have effect.
78.
Application of Part IV to arbitrations under other Acts.
79.
Saving for other enactments relating to limitation of arbitrations.
80.
Arbitrations pending on the operative date.
SCHEDULE.
ENACTMENTS REPEALED
Acts Referred to
Registration of Title Act, 1942
No. 26 of 1942
Arbitration Act, 1954
No. 26 of 1954
Rent Restrictions Act, 1946
No. 4 of 1946
Tortfeasors Act, 1951
No. 1 of 1951
Mercantile Marine Act, 1955
No. 29 of 1955
Land Act, 1927
No. 19 of 1927
Land Act, 1933
No. 38 of 1933
Agricultural Credit Act, 1947
No. 14 of 1947
Adoption Act, 1952
No. 25 of 1952
Number
6
of
1957
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS 1957
REVISED
Updated to 9 December 2025
AN ACT TO CONSOLIDATE WITH AMENDMENTS CERTAIN ENACTMENTS RELATING TO THE LIMITATION
OF ACTIONS AND ARBITRATIONS. [2
nd May
, 1957.]
BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:—
Annotations
Modifications (not altering text)
C1
Prospective affecting
provision: application of Act restricted by
Historic and Archaeological
Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023
(26/2023), s. 97, not
commenced as of date of revision.
Disapplication of Statute of
Limitations 1957, etc.
97
. (1) The Statute of
Limitations 1957 shall not—
(a) apply to an action for
recovery by the State of an archaeological object, whether such action is made
under this Act or another enactment, or
(b) extinguish a title of the
State to, or any other interest of the State in, an archaeological object.
(2) No rule of law relating to
treasure trove shall apply to an archaeological object.
C2
Application of Act
restricted (9.12.2025) by
Historic and Archaeological Heritage and
Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023
(26/2023), s. 120(3), S.I. No. 555 of
2025.
Bringing of claims, time limits
for claims and determination of claims
120.
...
(3) Notwithstanding any provision
of the Statute of Limitations 1957, a claim under the Convention may be brought
within the time limits provided for in the Convention and, accordingly, no
provision of that Act shall operate or have effect so as to extinguish the title
of the owner of a cultural object in respect of which a claim is, or may be, made
under the Convention where such claim is, or would be, in accordance with the time
limits provided in the Convention.
...
C3
Application of Act
restricted by
Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999
(31/1999), s. 31E(16,),
(17), as inserted (19.07.2021) by
Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act 2021
(23/2021), s. 13, commenced on enactment.
[Stamp duty on certain
acquisitions of residential property
31E.
...
(16) Any stamp duty chargeable in
respect of a relevant residential unit and any associated interest or other
monetary penalty amount which is due and unpaid shall be and remain a charge on
the relevant residential unit to which it relates and, notwithstanding the Statute
of Limitations 1957, shall continue to apply without a time limit until such time
as it is paid in full.
(17) This subsection applies to—
(a) a relevant residential unit
in respect of the acquisition of which—
(i) a binding contract was
entered into before 20 May 2021, and
(ii) the instrument effecting
the acquisition is executed before 20 August 2021 and is accompanied by a
statement, in such form as the Commissioners may specify, certifying that the
instrument was executed solely in pursuance of a binding contract entered into
before 20 May 2021,
and
(b) a relevant residential unit
the acquisition of which was effected before 20 May 2021.
...
]
C4
Rights under collectively cited
Statutes of Limitations
not
affected in certain circumstances (1.01.2019) by
Domestic Violence Act 2018
(6/2018), s. 32, S.I. No. 532 of 2018.
Orders not to affect rights under certain enactments or estate or interest
32
. (1) Where, by
reason only of an interim barring order, emergency barring order or a barring
order, a person is not residing at a place during any period, that person shall be
deemed, for the purposes of any rights under the Statutes of Limitations, the
Landlord and Tenant Acts 1967 to 2008, the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Acts
1982 and 1983 and the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2015, to be residing at
that place during that period.
(2) Except in so far as the exercise by a respondent of a right to occupy the place
to which a barring order, an interim barring order or an emergency barring order relates
is suspended by virtue of the order, that order shall not affect any estate or interest
in that place of that respondent or any other person.
C5
Application of collectively cited
Statutes of Limitation
specified in certain circumstances (1.01.2018) by
Mediation Act 2017
(27/2017), s. 18, S.I. No. 591 of 2017.
Effect of mediation on limitation and prescription periods
18.
(1) In reckoning a period of time for the purposes of a limitation period specified
by the Statutes of Limitations, the period beginning on the day on which an agreement
to mediate is signed and ending on the day which is 30 days after either—
(a) a mediation settlement is signed by the parties and the mediator, or
(b) the mediation is terminated,
whichever first occurs, shall be disregarded.
(2) The mediator in a mediation shall inform the parties in writing of the date on
which the mediation ends.
C6
Provision for reckoning
periods of time under Act made (31.07.2013) by
Personal Insolvency Act 2012
(44/2012), s. 45(3)(a), 62(7), 79(8), 96(7), 116(8), S.I. No. 285 of 2013.
Effect of termination of Debt
Relief Notice.
45
.— ...
(3) Where subsection (1) applies—
(
a
) the period during
which the Debt Relief Notice concerned was in effect shall be disregarded in
reckoning any period of time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period
(including any limitation period under the Statute of Limitations 1957) in
relation to any proceedings or process in respect of a specified qualifying debt
to which section 35 applied, and
(
b
) the period for which
any judgment against the specified debtor in relation to a specified qualifying
debt has effect (whether under statute or rule of court) shall, subject to the
provisions of this Act, be extended by the period that the Debt Relief Notice was
in effect.
...
Debt Settlement Arrangement
Effect of issue of protective certificate.
62
.— ...
(7) In reckoning any period of
time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any
proceedings or process to which subsection (1) or (3) applies (including any
limitation period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the
protective certificate concerned is in force under section 61 shall be
disregarded.
...
Effect of Debt Settlement
Arrangement.
79
.— ...
(8) In reckoning any period of
time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any
proceedings or process to which this section applies (including any limitation
period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the Debt
Settlement Arrangement is in effect shall be disregarded.
(9) The period for which any
judgment against the debtor in relation to a debt which is the subject of a Debt
Settlement Arrangement has effect (whether under statute or rule of court) shall,
subject to the provisions of this Act be extended by the period that the Debt
Settlement Arrangement is in effect.
...
Effect of issue of protective
certificate.
96
.— ...
(7) In reckoning any period of
time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any
proceedings or process to which subsection (1) or (3) applies (including any
limitation period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the
protective certificate concerned is in force shall be disregarded.
...
Effect of Personal Insolvency
Arrangement.
116
.— ...
(8) In reckoning any period of
time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any
proceedings or process to which this section applies (including any limitation
period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the Personal
Insolvency Arrangement is in effect shall be disregarded.
...
C7
Application of Act restricted (1.06.2004) by
Personal Injuries
Assessment Board Act 2003
(46/2003), ss. 12, 50, S.I. No. 252 of 2004, as
substituted (2.08.2011) by
Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011
(23/2011), s. 56(1)(c) and (d), commenced on enactment.
[Bar on bringing proceedings
unless certain conditions are satisfied.
12.
— ...
(5) The issuing of a notice of motion or the moving of a motion for the purposes of
an application referred to in subsection (4) shall not be regarded as the commencement
of proceedings in respect of the relevant claim for the purposes of any applicable
limitation period in relation to such claim (including any limitation period under
the Statute of
Limitations 1957
,
section 9
(2) of the
Civil Liability Act 1961
, the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991
and an international agreement or convention by which the State is bound).
]
...
[Reckoning of time for
purpose of Statute of Limitations, etc.
50.
— In reckoning any period of time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period
in relation to a relevant claim (including any limitation period under the
Statute of Limitations 1957
,
section 9
(2) of the
Civil Liability Act 1961
, the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991
and an international agreement or convention by which the State is bound), the period
beginning on the making of an application under section 11 in relation to the claim
and ending 6 months from the date of issue of an authorisation under, as appropriate,
section 14, 17, 32, or 36, rules under section 46(3) or section 49 shall be disregarded.
]
C8
Application of Act restricted (18.05.2011) by
European Communities (Mediation) Regulations 2011
(S.I. No. 209 of 2011), reg. 6(1), in effect as per reg. 1(2).
Effect of mediation on limitation and prescription periods
6. (1) In reckoning any period of time for the purposes of any limitation period specified
by the Statute of Limitations 1957 (No. 6 of 1957) or the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991
(No. 18 of 1991), the period beginning on the day on which the relevant dispute is
referred to mediation and ending on the day which is 30 days after the mediation process
is concluded shall be disregarded.
...
C9
Application of collectively cited
Statutes of Limitations
restricted (1.04.2009) by
European Communities (Environmental Liability) Regulations 2008
(S.I. No. 547 of 2008), reg. 19.
Limitation of actions
19. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Statutes of Limitations, an action by the
Agency under these Regulations against an operator for recovery of costs, shall not
be brought after the expiration of 5 years from the date on which the preventive or
remedial measures required pursuant to these Regulations have been completed or the
date (if later) on which the Agency became aware of the identity of the operator as
appropriate.
C10
Application of Act restricted (12.12.2008) by
European Communities (European Order for Payment) Regulations 2008
(S.I. No. 525 of 2008), reg. 8(2), in effect as per reg. 1(2).
Application for European order for payment not to prejudice position of claimant
8. ...
(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1), in reckoning any period of time for the purposes
of any limitation period specified by the Statute of Limitations 1957 or the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991
, the period beginning on the day of the receipt by the High Court of an application
for a European order for payment and ending on the day which is 30 days after—
(
a
) in a case where the claimant has requested that the European order for payment proceedings
be terminated in the event of a statement of opposition being lodged, the day on which
a notice is issued by the High Court informing the claimant that the European order
for payment proceedings have been terminated,
(
b
) in a case where the claimant has accepted the proposal of the High Court that the
application for a European order for payment should proceed only as respects that
part of the claim specified by the High Court, as respects the remaining part of the
claim, the day on which the claimant accepts the proposal of the Court,
(
c
) in the case of a claim which is rejected by the Court pursuant to Article 11(1)
the day on which a notice is issued by the High Court informing the claimant that
the application for a European order for payment has been rejected,
shall be disregarded.
...
C11
Application of collectively cited
Statutes of Limitations
restricted (10.04.2002) by
Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002
(13/2002), s. 13(10), commenced on enactment, as amended (4.10.2012) by
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012
(35/2012), s. 44(b)(ii), S.I. No. 387 of 2012.
Award of Board.
13.
— ...
(10) Where an applicant does not accept an award within the time and in the manner
provided for in this section and proceeds with any right of action that he or she
may have arising out of the same, or substantially the same, acts complained of in
an application, the Minister, a public body or any other person, will not in such
proceedings to which it is a party rely for the purposes of the Statutes of Limitations,
on the period between—
(a) the date of the application to the Board by that applicant, and
(b) the date on which the applicant—
(i) abandoned his or her application,
[
(ia) has his or her application struck out under subsection (9A),
]
(ii) was adjudged not entitled to an award under this Act,
(iii) rejected an award in accordance with subsection (4)(a) or subsection (5), or
(iv) rejected a decision of the Review Committee in accordance with section 15 (7)
or section 15 (8),
whichever of such dates is the later, in bar of any right of recovery under such proceedings.
C12
Application of Act subject to conditions (16.12.1991) by
Liability for Defective Products Act 1991
(28/1991), s. 7, S.I. No. 316 of 1991.
Limitation of actions.
7.
—
(1)
An action for the recovery of damages under this Act shall not be brought after the
expiration of three years from the date on which the cause of action accrued or the
date (if later) on which the plaintiff became aware, or should reasonably have become
aware, of the damage, the defect and the identity of the producer.
...
(4)
The Statutes of Limitation, 1957 and 1991, shall apply to an action under this Act
subject to the provisions of this section.
(5)
For the purposes of
subsection (4)
—
(
a
)
subsection (1)
of this section shall be deemed to be a provision of the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act, 1991
, of the kind referred to in section 2 (1) of that Act,
(
b
)
“
injury
” where it occurs in that Act except in section 2 (1)
(b)
thereof includes damage to property, and “
person injured
” and, “
injured
” shall be construed accordingly, and
(
c
)
the reference in
subsection (1)
of this section to the date when the plaintiff became aware, or should reasonably
have become aware, of the damage, the defect and the identity of the producer shall
be construed in accordance with section 2 of that Act, but nothing in this paragraph
shall prejudice the application of
section 1
(3)
of this Act.
C13
Act adapted and applied (24.07.1981) by
Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children) Act 1981
(21/1981) s. 16, commenced as per s. 18.
Saving provisions.
16.
—
(1)
Where, by reason only of a barring order, a person is not residing at a place during
any period, he shall be deemed, for the purposes of any rights under the Landlord
and Tenant Acts, 1967 to 1980, the Statute of Limitations, 1957, or the Rent Restrictions
Acts, 1960 and 1967, to be residing at that place during that period.
...
C14
Act adapted and applied (7.05.1976) by
Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976
(11/1976), s. 22, commenced as per s. 2.
Barring of spouse from family home.
22.
—
...
(7)
Where, by reason only of an order under subsection (1) of this section, a person is
not residing at a place during any period, he shall be deemed, for the purposes of
any rights under the Landlord and Tenant Acts, 1931 to 1971, the
Statute of Limitations, 1957
, or the Rent Restrictions Acts, 1960 and 1967, to be residing at the place during
that period.
C15
Application of Act extended (1.01.1967) by
Registration of Title Act 1964
(16/1964), ss. 49 and 72, S.I. No. 167 of 1966.
Registration of title acquired by possession.
49.
—
(1)
Subject to the provisions of this section, the
Statute of Limitations, 1957,
shall apply to registered land as it applies to unregistered land.
...
Burdens which are without registration to affect registered land.
72.
—
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), all registered land shall be subject to such of the following
burdens as for the time being affect the land, whether those burdens are or are not
registered, namely—...
(
p
)
rights acquired or in course of being acquired under the
Statute of Limitations, 1957;
.
...
Editorial Notes
E1
Previous affecting
provision: rights under collectively cited
Statutes of Limitations
not
affected in certain circumstances (28.03.1996) by
Domestic Violence Act
1996
(1/1996), s. 22, commenced as per s. 25; repealed (1.01.2019) by
Domestic Violence Act 2018
(6/2018), s. 3(b), S.I. No. 532 of 2018).
Annotations
Modifications (not altering text)
C1
Prospective affecting
provision: application of Act restricted by
Historic and Archaeological
Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023
(26/2023), s. 97, not
commenced as of date of revision.
Disapplication of Statute of
Limitations 1957, etc.
97
. (1) The Statute of
Limitations 1957 shall not—
(a) apply to an action for
recovery by the State of an archaeological object, whether such action is made
under this Act or another enactment, or
(b) extinguish a title of the
State to, or any other interest of the State in, an archaeological object.
(2) No rule of law relating to
treasure trove shall apply to an archaeological object.
C2
Application of Act
restricted (9.12.2025) by
Historic and Archaeological Heritage and
Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023
(26/2023), s. 120(3), S.I. No. 555 of
2025.
Bringing of claims, time limits
for claims and determination of claims
120.
...
(3) Notwithstanding any provision
of the Statute of Limitations 1957, a claim under the Convention may be brought
within the time limits provided for in the Convention and, accordingly, no
provision of that Act shall operate or have effect so as to extinguish the title
of the owner of a cultural object in respect of which a claim is, or may be, made
under the Convention where such claim is, or would be, in accordance with the time
limits provided in the Convention.
...
C3
Application of Act
restricted by
Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999
(31/1999), s. 31E(16,),
(17), as inserted (19.07.2021) by
Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act 2021
(23/2021), s. 13, commenced on enactment.
[Stamp duty on certain
acquisitions of residential property
31E.
...
(16) Any stamp duty chargeable in
respect of a relevant residential unit and any associated interest or other
monetary penalty amount which is due and unpaid shall be and remain a charge on
the relevant residential unit to which it relates and, notwithstanding the Statute
of Limitations 1957, shall continue to apply without a time limit until such time
as it is paid in full.
(17) This subsection applies to—
(a) a relevant residential unit
in respect of the acquisition of which—
(i) a binding contract was
entered into before 20 May 2021, and
(ii) the instrument effecting
the acquisition is executed before 20 August 2021 and is accompanied by a
statement, in such form as the Commissioners may specify, certifying that the
instrument was executed solely in pursuance of a binding contract entered into
before 20 May 2021,
and
(b) a relevant residential unit
the acquisition of which was effected before 20 May 2021.
...
]
C4
Rights under collectively cited
Statutes of Limitations
not
affected in certain circumstances (1.01.2019) by
Domestic Violence Act 2018
(6/2018), s. 32, S.I. No. 532 of 2018.
Orders not to affect rights under certain enactments or estate or interest
32
. (1) Where, by
reason only of an interim barring order, emergency barring order or a barring
order, a person is not residing at a place during any period, that person shall be
deemed, for the purposes of any rights under the Statutes of Limitations, the
Landlord and Tenant Acts 1967 to 2008, the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Acts
1982 and 1983 and the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2015, to be residing at
that place during that period.
(2) Except in so far as the exercise by a respondent of a right to occupy the place
to which a barring order, an interim barring order or an emergency barring order relates
is suspended by virtue of the order, that order shall not affect any estate or interest
in that place of that respondent or any other person.
C5
Application of collectively cited
Statutes of Limitation
specified in certain circumstances (1.01.2018) by
Mediation Act 2017
(27/2017), s. 18, S.I. No. 591 of 2017.
Effect of mediation on limitation and prescription periods
18.
(1) In reckoning a period of time for the purposes of a limitation period specified
by the Statutes of Limitations, the period beginning on the day on which an agreement
to mediate is signed and ending on the day which is 30 days after either—
(a) a mediation settlement is signed by the parties and the mediator, or
(b) the mediation is terminated,
whichever first occurs, shall be disregarded.
(2) The mediator in a mediation shall inform the parties in writing of the date on
which the mediation ends.
C6
Provision for reckoning
periods of time under Act made (31.07.2013) by
Personal Insolvency Act 2012
(44/2012), s. 45(3)(a), 62(7), 79(8), 96(7), 116(8), S.I. No. 285 of 2013.
Effect of termination of Debt
Relief Notice.
45
.— ...
(3) Where subsection (1) applies—
(
a
) the period during
which the Debt Relief Notice concerned was in effect shall be disregarded in
reckoning any period of time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period
(including any limitation period under the Statute of Limitations 1957) in
relation to any proceedings or process in respect of a specified qualifying debt
to which section 35 applied, and
(
b
) the period for which
any judgment against the specified debtor in relation to a specified qualifying
debt has effect (whether under statute or rule of court) shall, subject to the
provisions of this Act, be extended by the period that the Debt Relief Notice was
in effect.
...
Debt Settlement Arrangement
Effect of issue of protective certificate.
62
.— ...
(7) In reckoning any period of
time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any
proceedings or process to which subsection (1) or (3) applies (including any
limitation period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the
protective certificate concerned is in force under section 61 shall be
disregarded.
...
Effect of Debt Settlement
Arrangement.
79
.— ...
(8) In reckoning any period of
time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any
proceedings or process to which this section applies (including any limitation
period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the Debt
Settlement Arrangement is in effect shall be disregarded.
(9) The period for which any
judgment against the debtor in relation to a debt which is the subject of a Debt
Settlement Arrangement has effect (whether under statute or rule of court) shall,
subject to the provisions of this Act be extended by the period that the Debt
Settlement Arrangement is in effect.
...
Effect of issue of protective
certificate.
96
.— ...
(7) In reckoning any period of
time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any
proceedings or process to which subsection (1) or (3) applies (including any
limitation period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the
protective certificate concerned is in force shall be disregarded.
...
Effect of Personal Insolvency
Arrangement.
116
.— ...
(8) In reckoning any period of
time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any
proceedings or process to which this section applies (including any limitation
period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the Personal
Insolvency Arrangement is in effect shall be disregarded.
...
C7
Application of Act restricted (1.06.2004) by
Personal Injuries
Assessment Board Act 2003
(46/2003), ss. 12, 50, S.I. No. 252 of 2004, as
substituted (2.08.2011) by
Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011
(23/2011), s. 56(1)(c) and (d), commenced on enactment.
[Bar on bringing proceedings
unless certain conditions are satisfied.
12.
— ...
(5) The issuing of a notice of motion or the moving of a motion for the purposes of
an application referred to in subsection (4) shall not be regarded as the commencement
of proceedings in respect of the relevant claim for the purposes of any applicable
limitation period in relation to such claim (including any limitation period under
the Statute of
Limitations 1957
,
section 9
(2) of the
Civil Liability Act 1961
, the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991
and an international agreement or convention by which the State is bound).
]
...
[Reckoning of time for
purpose of Statute of Limitations, etc.
50.
— In reckoning any period of time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period
in relation to a relevant claim (including any limitation period under the
Statute of Limitations 1957
,
section 9
(2) of the
Civil Liability Act 1961
, the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991
and an international agreement or convention by which the State is bound), the period
beginning on the making of an application under section 11 in relation to the claim
and ending 6 months from the date of issue of an authorisation under, as appropriate,
section 14, 17, 32, or 36, rules under section 46(3) or section 49 shall be disregarded.
]
C8
Application of Act restricted (18.05.2011) by
European Communities (Mediation) Regulations 2011
(S.I. No. 209 of 2011), reg. 6(1), in effect as per reg. 1(2).
Effect of mediation on limitation and prescription periods
6. (1) In reckoning any period of time for the purposes of any limitation period specified
by the Statute of Limitations 1957 (No. 6 of 1957) or the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991
(No. 18 of 1991), the period beginning on the day on which the relevant dispute is
referred to mediation and ending on the day which is 30 days after the mediation process
is concluded shall be disregarded.
...
C9
Application of collectively cited
Statutes of Limitations
restricted (1.04.2009) by
European Communities (Environmental Liability) Regulations 2008
(S.I. No. 547 of 2008), reg. 19.
Limitation of actions
19. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Statutes of Limitations, an action by the
Agency under these Regulations against an operator for recovery of costs, shall not
be brought after the expiration of 5 years from the date on which the preventive or
remedial measures required pursuant to these Regulations have been completed or the
date (if later) on which the Agency became aware of the identity of the operator as
appropriate.
C10
Application of Act restricted (12.12.2008) by
European Communities (European Order for Payment) Regulations 2008
(S.I. No. 525 of 2008), reg. 8(2), in effect as per reg. 1(2).
Application for European order for payment not to prejudice position of claimant
8. ...
(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1), in reckoning any period of time for the purposes
of any limitation period specified by the Statute of Limitations 1957 or the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991
, the period beginning on the day of the receipt by the High Court of an application
for a European order for payment and ending on the day which is 30 days after—
(
a
) in a case where the claimant has requested that the European order for payment proceedings
be terminated in the event of a statement of opposition being lodged, the day on which
a notice is issued by the High Court informing the claimant that the European order
for payment proceedings have been terminated,
(
b
) in a case where the claimant has accepted the proposal of the High Court that the
application for a European order for payment should proceed only as respects that
part of the claim specified by the High Court, as respects the remaining part of the
claim, the day on which the claimant accepts the proposal of the Court,
(
c
) in the case of a claim which is rejected by the Court pursuant to Article 11(1)
the day on which a notice is issued by the High Court informing the claimant that
the application for a European order for payment has been rejected,
shall be disregarded.
...
C11
Application of collectively cited
Statutes of Limitations
restricted (10.04.2002) by
Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002
(13/2002), s. 13(10), commenced on enactment, as amended (4.10.2012) by
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012
(35/2012), s. 44(b)(ii), S.I. No. 387 of 2012.
Award of Board.
13.
— ...
(10) Where an applicant does not accept an award within the time and in the manner
provided for in this section and proceeds with any right of action that he or she
may have arising out of the same, or substantially the same, acts complained of in
an application, the Minister, a public body or any other person, will not in such
proceedings to which it is a party rely for the purposes of the Statutes of Limitations,
on the period between—
(a) the date of the application to the Board by that applicant, and
(b) the date on which the applicant—
(i) abandoned his or her application,
[
(ia) has his or her application struck out under subsection (9A),
]
(ii) was adjudged not entitled to an award under this Act,
(iii) rejected an award in accordance with subsection (4)(a) or subsection (5), or
(iv) rejected a decision of the Review Committee in accordance with section 15 (7)
or section 15 (8),
whichever of such dates is the later, in bar of any right of recovery under such proceedings.
C12
Application of Act subject to conditions (16.12.1991) by
Liability for Defective Products Act 1991
(28/1991), s. 7, S.I. No. 316 of 1991.
Limitation of actions.
7.
—
(1)
An action for the recovery of damages under this Act shall not be brought after the
expiration of three years from the date on which the cause of action accrued or the
date (if later) on which the plaintiff became aware, or should reasonably have become
aware, of the damage, the defect and the identity of the producer.
...
(4)
The Statutes of Limitation, 1957 and 1991, shall apply to an action under this Act
subject to the provisions of this section.
(5)
For the purposes of
subsection (4)
—
(
a
)
subsection (1)
of this section shall be deemed to be a provision of the
Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act, 1991
, of the kind referred to in section 2 (1) of that Act,
(
b
)
“
injury
” where it occurs in that Act except in section 2 (1)
(b)
thereof includes damage to property, and “
person injured
” and, “
injured
” shall be construed accordingly, and
(
c
)
the reference in
subsection (1)
of this section to the date when the plaintiff became aware, or should reasonably
have become aware, of the damage, the defect and the identity of the producer shall
be construed in accordance with section 2 of that Act, but nothing in this paragraph
shall prejudice the application of
section 1
(3)
of this Act.
C13
Act adapted and applied (24.07.1981) by
Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children) Act 1981
(21/1981) s. 16, commenced as per s. 18.
Saving provisions.
16.
—
(1)
Where, by reason only of a barring order, a person is not residing at a place during
any period, he shall be deemed, for the purposes of any rights under the Landlord
and Tenant Acts, 1967 to 1980, the Statute of Limitations, 1957, or the Rent Restrictions
Acts, 1960 and 1967, to be residing at that place during that period.
...
C14
Act adapted and applied (7.05.1976) by
Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976
(11/1976), s. 22, commenced as per s. 2.
Barring of spouse from family home.
22.
—
...
(7)
Where, by reason only of an order under subsection (1) of this section, a person is
not residing at a place during any period, he shall be deemed, for the purposes of
any rights under the Landlord and Tenant Acts, 1931 to 1971, the
Statute of Limitations, 1957
, or the Rent Restrictions Acts, 1960 and 1967, to be residing at the place during
that period.
C15
Application of Act extended (1.01.1967) by
Registration of Title Act 1964
(16/1964), ss. 49 and 72, S.I. No. 167 of 1966.
Registration of title acquired by possession.
49.
—
(1)
Subject to the provisions of this section, the
Statute of Limitations, 1957,
shall apply to registered land as it applies to unregistered land.
...
Burdens which are without registration to affect registered land.
72.
—
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), all registered land shall be subject to such of the following
burdens as for the time being affect the land, whether those burdens are or are not
registered, namely—...
(
p
)
rights acquired or in course of being acquired under the
Statute of Limitations, 1957;
.
...
Editorial Notes
E1
Previous affecting
provision: rights under collectively cited
Statutes of Limitations
not
affected in certain circumstances (28.03.1996) by
Domestic Violence Act
1996
(1/1996), s. 22, commenced as per s. 25; repealed (1.01.2019) by
Domestic Violence Act 2018
(6/2018), s. 3(b), S.I. No. 532 of 2018).
Part I
.
PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL.
Section
1.
Short title and commencement.
2.
General provisions as to interpretation.
3.
Application to the State.
4.
Non-application to proceedings in respect of the forfeiture of a ship.
5.
Saving for equitable jurisdiction to refuse relief for acquiescence or otherwise.
6.
Provisions as to set-off and counterclaim.
7.
Saving for other limitation enactments in respect of actions.
8.
Provisions as to actions barred and pending on the operative date.
9.
Repeals.
Part II.
PERIODS OF LIMITATION FOR DIFFERENT CLASSES OF ACTION.
10.
Part II to be subject to provisions of Part III relating to disability, acknowledgement,
part payment, fraud and mistake.
Actions of contract and tort and certain other actions
11.
Limitation of actions of contract and tort and certain other actions.
11A.
Limitation of actions for damages for infringements of competition law.
12.
Limitation in case of successive conversions, and extinction of title of owner of
converted goods.
Actions to recover land
13.
Limitation of actions to recover land.
14.
Accrual of right of action (present interests in land).
15.
Accrual of right of action (future interests in land).
16.
Accrual of right of action (forfeiture or breach of condition).
17.
Accrual of right of action (certain tenancies).
18.
Right of action not to accrue unless there is adverse possession.
19.
Cure of defective disentailing assurance.
20.
No right of action to be preserved by formal entry or continual claim.
21.
Possession of one co-parcener, etc., not to be possession of others.
22.
Possession of younger brother, etc., not be possession of heir.
23.
Administration to date back to death.
24.
Extinction of title to land after expiration of period limited for actions to recover
land.
25.
Equitable estates in land, and land held on trust.
Actions to recover settled chattels
26.
Actions to recover settled chattels.
Actions to recover arrears of rentcharges, conventional rents, dower and annuities
charged on personal property
27.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of a rentcharge.
28.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of a conventional rent.
29.
Warrants under section 28 of the Land Act, 1933.
30.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of dower.
31.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of annuity charged on personal property.
Actions in respect of mortgages and charges
32.
Limitation of actions by incumbrancers claiming sale of land.
33.
Extinction of title of mortgagee to mortgaged land after expiration of period for
action claiming sale of land.
34.
Limitation of redemption actions (land).
35.
Extinction of title of mortgagor to mortgaged land after expiration of period for
action to redeem land.
36.
Limitation of actions to recover principal money secured by a charge on land or personal
property.
37.
Limitation of actions to recover arrears of interest on a mortgage or charge.
38.
Extinction of right of mortgagee or chargeant to mortgage debt at expiration of period
for action to recover land or claiming sale of land.
39.
Extinction of right of mortgagee or chargeant to principal sum secured by mortgage
or charge on personal property after expiration of period for action to recover principal
sum.
40.
Limitation of actions in respect of certain personal rights in or over land, such
as right of support, etc.
41.
Extinction of personal right in or over land, such as a right of support, etc., after
expiration of period for action in respect of such right.
42.
Restriction on recovery under section 26 of the Agricultural Credit Act, 1947, of
interest on chattel mortgages.
Actions in respect of trust property
43.
Limitation of actions against trustees.
44.
Exclusion of actions against trustees in cases of fraud or retention of trust property.
Actions in respect of the estates of deceased persons
45.
Limitation of actions to recover personal estate of deceased persons.
46.
Exclusion of actions against personal representatives in cases of fraud.
Part III.
EXTENSION OF LIMITATION PERIODS IN CASE OF DISABILITY, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, PART PAYMENT,
FRAUD AND MISTAKE.
Chapter I.
Interpretation
.
47.
Interpretation (Part III).
Chapter II.
Disability
.
48.
Person under a disability.
48A.
Disability of certain persons for purpose of bringing certain actions arising out
of acts of sexual abuse.
49.
Extension of limitation period in case of disability.