Provisions the documents cite: s.2 (tort, six years), s.4B (actions under the Defective Premises Act 1972 and Building Act 1984 s.38, 15 years), s.5 (simple contract, six years), s.8 (specialty, twelve years), s.10 (contribution, two years), s.41(4) (extent)
What it requires
An action founded on tort (s.2) or on simple contract (s.5) cannot be brought after six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued; an action upon a specialty — including a contract executed as a deed — cannot be brought after twelve years, unless the Act prescribes a shorter period (s.8). An action under s.1 or s.2A of the Defective Premises Act 1972, or s.38 of the Building Act 1984, cannot be brought after 15 years from accrual; for a Defective Premises Act s.1 claim that accrued before s.135 of the Building Safety Act 2022 came into force (28 June 2022) the period is 30 years (s.4B). A claim for contribution under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 is limited to two years from judgment, award or agreed settlement (s.10). These are ordinary time limits, subject to extension or exclusion under Part II (s.1(2)). The Act does not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland (s.41(4)).
The instrument itself: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/58. The summary above is our plain-English reading, not the text of the instrument — always work from the source.
How this entry is kept current
- Citation status: read in full at the primary source.
- Watched by: legislation.gov.uk "Changes to Legislation" tab — not just the text view.
- Source last checked by the automated scan: not yet — first scan pending.
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The 5 documents that cite it
Every KubitDocs document prints its statutory basis on the form itself, so the person signing can verify the citation rather than take our word for it.
Homeowner toolkit
- Guarantees and Certificates Record
- Letter Before Claim — Building Work
- Letters to Your Builder
- Snag List and Handover — Home Improvements