Tips for Finding Statute of Limitations

Statute of limitations can be tough to find. Statutes (unlike case opinions) are not written like someone would speak or give a speech. Furthermore, the statute of limitation might actually be called limitation on action or limitation on prosecution, or could be written in different terms although they mean statute of limitations (e.g. NY State : “actions must be commenced within 6 years”).

To quickly determine the statute of limitations on a cause of action, it is often much easier to find a relevant statute by searching caselaw. (e.g. (“statute of limitation” or “limitation on action” /10 “breach of contract”)).

Another way to find these is to use the statute index. If the jurisdiction calls it something else there should be a cross reference to statute of limitations under the phrase statute of limitations in the index.