Vidhi Codex

The Limitation Act, 1963

The Limitation Act, 1963

Civil196332 sections5 chapters

The Limitation Act, 1963, is a crucial Indian law that establishes strict "expiry dates" for filing legal actions in court. It regulates the specific timeframes within which various suits, appeals, and applications regarding contracts, property, or civil wrongs must be initiated. This Act applies broadly to all individuals and entities throughout India, including the central and state governments. It matters because it ensures legal disputes are resolved promptly, providing certainty and preventing the unfairness of pursuing ancient claims. While late cases are typically dismissed, the law provides narrow exceptions for situations involving fraud, mistakes, or legal disabilities like minority or insanity

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Part I PRELIMINARY

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Part II LIMITATION OF SUITS, APPEALS AND APPLICATIONS

  1. 3Bar of limitation.
  2. 4Expiry of prescribed period when court is closed.
  3. 5Extension of prescribed period in certain cases.
  4. 6Legal disability.
  5. 7Disability of one of several persons.
  6. 8Special exceptions.
  7. 9Continuous running of time.
  8. 10Suits against trustees and their representatives.
  9. 11Suits on contracts entered into outside the territories to which the Act extends.

Part III COMPUTATION OF PERIOD OF LIMITATION

  1. 12Exclusion of time in legal proceedings.
  2. 13Exclusion of time in cases where leave to sue or appeal as a pauper is applied for.
  3. 14Exclusion of time of proceeding bona fide in court without jurisdiction.
  4. 15Exclusion of time in certain other cases.
  5. 16Effect of death on or before the accrual of the right to sue.
  6. 17Effect of fraud or mistake.
  7. 18Effect of acknowledgment in writing.
  8. 19Effect of payment on account of debt or of interest on legacy.
  9. 20Effect of acknowledgment or payment by another person.
  10. 21Effect of substituting or adding new plaintiff or defendant.
  11. 22Continuing breaches and torts.
  12. 23Suits for compensation for acts not actionable without special damage.
  13. 24Computation of time mentioned in instruments.

Part IV ACQUISITION OF OWNERSHIP BY POSSESSION

  1. 25Acquisition of easements by prescription.
  2. 26Exclusion in favour of reversioner of servient tenement.
  3. 27Extinguishment of right to property.

Part V MISCELLANEOUS

  1. 28Repealed.
  2. 29Savings
  3. 30Provision for suits, etc., for which the prescribed period is shorter than the period prescribed by the Indian Limitation Act, 1908
  4. 31Provisions as to barred or pending suits, etc
  5. 32Repealed.

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