Definition of statute of limitations in US English:
statute of limitations
nounˈstaCHo͞ot əv ˌliməˈtāSHənzˈstætʃut əv ˌlɪməˈteɪʃənz
Law A statute prescribing a period of limitation for the bringing of certain kinds of legal action.
Example sentencesExamples
- As far as I can see the American doctors aren't as brazen as their Australian cousins in calling for a statute of limitations on tort claims.
- The defense held that even if there was proof of genocide, to charge the defendants now violated the statute of limitations.
- Shouldn't there be a statute of limitations on intellectual property when something becomes entrenched in culture?
- The statute of limitations for libel in England is one year, giving O'Reilly only 76 more days to file.
- Under Italian law, the statute of limitations means that, after a long period of time since the offence, the conviction is quashed.