Civil Procedure
Statute of Limitations
A deadline for filing a lawsuit or charge, usually measured from injury, discovery, breach, or another triggering event.
Plain-English definition
A statute of limitations is the filing deadline. If a claim is filed too late, the defendant can ask the court to dismiss it even if the claim might otherwise be valid. The deadline depends on claim type, jurisdiction, accrual rules, tolling, and special defendants.
How it works
Limitations defenses appear in motions to dismiss, answers, summary judgment, and settlement evaluations. Some deadlines are tolled or shortened by notice-of-claim statutes.
Why it matters
Deadlines are ruthless. A strong case can die because it was filed one day late.
Related terms
More in Civil Procedure
Amended Complaint
A revised complaint that changes, adds, or clarifies allegations, parties, or claims after the original complaint was filed.
Answer
The defendant's formal written response to the plaintiff's complaint, admitting or denying each allegation.
Class Certification
The judicial decision to allow a lawsuit to proceed as a class action on behalf of similarly-situated plaintiffs.
Collateral Estoppel
Also called issue preclusion. The doctrine that prevents re-litigating a specific issue that was actually decided in a prior case.
Complaint
The initial pleading filed by the plaintiff that starts a civil lawsuit.
Consolidation
Combining related cases for coordinated management, discovery, hearings, or trial.
Counterclaim
A claim brought by a defendant against the plaintiff within the same lawsuit.
Crossclaim
A claim by one party against a co-party, such as one defendant suing another defendant in the same case.
Not legal advice. Definitions are for general reference. Consult an attorney before relying on any term in a real case.