Missed Limitation Dates Solicitors

If you think your solicitor, or maybe a different professional adviser has missed dates in relation to your court case, we can help.

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Missed Limitation Dates

Our missed limitation dates specialists are here to help

Missed limitation dates

One of the most common types of solicitor negligence is missed limitation dates. A limitation date refers to the amount of time an individual has to start a legal claim, from the date they suffered loss or harm.

It is the solicitor’s responsibility to ensure they serve the claim to court in time. Every law firm should have strict measures in place to ensure that all the claims they are running are done so with the time limit in mind. However, good practice processes such as these are not always put in place, or adhered to.

The 1980 Limitation Act

The 1980 Limitation Act sets the time limits applicable to each type of legal claim, including making a claim for compensation.

Although on some rare occasions the court will extend time limits, as a general rule of thumb, civil claims must be served within six years, while personal injury claims should be made within three years from the date of the injury or the diagnosis of the injury, or up to the age of 21 years old for matters involving children.

Professional negligence and solicitor negligence fall under civil claims, meaning firms of solicitors will have to serve these types of claims within six years. An exception is three years from when you knew of the claim.

The Limitation Act 1980 sets the time limit applicable to each type of legal claim, including making a claim for compensation:

  • Civil claims (breach of contract or negligence) must be served within six years
  • Personal injury claims must be served within three years of the date of injury
  • Some claims (such as defamation) must be served within one year.

In terms of civil claims such as breach of contract or negligence, there is an exception to the six year rule. If the exception applies, these claims can be brought within three years of the date of reasonable knowledge, subject to a fifteen year-long stop rule.

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missed limitation dates frequently asked questions

If the limitation date is missed, it is very unlikely that your claim will be able to continue. In most scenarios where limitation dates are missed, the claim will be struck out by the court with no option for any further proceedings.
Not usually, no. If this occurs however, any claimant whose claim is now void as a result of a missed limitation date is perfectly eligible to start a new claim; a professional negligence claim against the solicitor or adviser who missed the date. For example, if a claim cannot be brought or is struck out due to limitation reasons, a potential negligence claim could follow against the adviser who missed the date that is based on the lost chance to bring the original claim, and what that might have realised
It is the duty of your adviser to ensure proper advice is given on time limits to bring a claim, and in turn if a claim is to be made it is submitted to the court in time. Examples may include:
  • Your claim has not been issued at court in time, meaning you cannot advance your case
  • A deadline was set by the Court within proceedings that have been brought but not complied with leading to strike out
  • A claim was issued but not served properly
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