statute of limitations 
noun Law
A statute prescribing a period of limitation for the bringing of actions of certain kinds.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....
- Shouldn't there be a statute of limitations on intellectual property when something becomes entrenched in culture?
- The defense held that even if there was proof of genocide, to charge the defendants now violated the statute of limitations.