Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Limitation of actions refers to the time limit set by law for a person to bring a legal claim or lawsuit against someone else. This time limit is also known as the statute of limitations or statute of repose. Once the time limit has passed, the person can no longer bring a legal claim or lawsuit. It is important to be aware of these time limits to ensure that legal rights are protected and not lost due to delay.
Limitation of actions refers to the time limit within which a legal action can be brought. This is governed by the statute of limitations and statute of repose.
The statute of limitations sets a time limit for bringing a legal action after a cause of action arises. For example, if someone is injured in a car accident, they may have a certain number of years to file a lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident. Once the statute of limitations has expired, the injured person can no longer bring a legal action.
The statute of repose, on the other hand, sets a time limit for bringing a legal action based on the date of a particular event, regardless of when the cause of action arises. For example, a statute of repose may limit the time within which a person can bring a lawsuit against a construction company for a defect in a building, regardless of when the defect was discovered.
Both the statute of limitations and statute of repose serve to protect defendants from being sued for events that occurred too long ago, when evidence may be difficult to gather or memories may have faded. They also provide certainty and finality to legal disputes, allowing parties to move on with their lives.
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