What is a limitation period?
A limitation period is the time within which a suit, appeal or application must be filed. It is fixed by the Limitation Act, 1963 (and by some special Acts). If the period expires, the remedy is generally barred — the court will not entertain a time-barred suit even if the claim is otherwise good. This calculator takes the matter and the date the cause of action accrued, and works out the last date to file, how many days remain, and the exact point from which time runs — the detail that decides most limitation questions.
How the period is counted (Sections 12, 4 and 5)
Section 12 excludes the day from which the period is reckoned, so a three-year period from 1 January 2020 ends on 1 January 2023. Section 4 provides that if the last day is a day when the court is closed, the filing may be made on the next day the court reopens. Section 5 allows the court to condone delay in an appeal or an application (not a suit) if sufficient cause is shown. The calculator applies the Section 12 rule to the date and surfaces the Section 4 and Section 5 points as notes.
Common limitation periods
Frequently needed periods include: money lent, price of goods, work done and breach of contract — 3 years; specific performance — 3 years from the date fixed for performance; possession of immovable property on title — 12 years from when the defendant’s possession becomes adverse; execution of a decree — 12 years; an appeal to a High Court — 90 days, and to another court — 30 days; setting aside an ex parte decree or a review — 30 days; a cheque-dishonour complaint under Section 138 NI Act — one month from when the cause of action arises; and the residuary Articles 113 (suits) and 137 (applications) — 3 years. The tool cites the exact Article and the starting point for each.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the limitation period for filing a suit for recovery of money?
- For money lent, it is 3 years from when the loan is made (Article 19); for the price of goods sold, 3 years from delivery (Article 14); for breach of contract, 3 years from when the contract is broken (Article 55). The residuary period for a suit with no specific Article is 3 years (Article 113).
- Can a time-barred delay be excused?
- Section 5 of the Limitation Act allows a court to condone delay in an appeal or an application if the party shows sufficient cause. It does not apply to suits — a suit filed after the limitation period is generally barred. This tool flags where Section 5 may be available.
- Is this a substitute for legal advice?
- No. The correct Article and starting point often turn on the precise cause of action and the facts, and exclusions (minority, fraud, acknowledgment under Section 18, part-payment under Section 19) can change the calculation. Use this as a quick reference and confirm against the bare Act.