“Limitation period” is a legal jargon meaning a statutory term after which a lawsuit (or prosecution) cannot be brought in court.

In Ontario the limitation period is governed by the Limitations Act, 2002. It’s interesting to note that in contrast to the law in other countries, such as the US, the Ontario Act is not applicable to offences under the Criminal Code^ because the Code falls under federal jurisdiction.

The basic limitation period in Ontario is two years from the day on which the claim was discovered.# For example, if you were involved in an automobile accident and suffered minor injuries, you would have to bring your claim before the court within two years, or your claim may be barred by the statute.

Nonetheless, the Act provides numerous exceptions under which the limitation period may differ from the basic two-year rule. Therefore, in the event that you wish to commence a proceeding, you should act promptly and consult with a lawyer to ensure that your claim is not barred by the statute.

*S.O. 2002, c. 24, Sch. B

^R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46

# Limitations Act, 2002, s. 4, 5

Note: Please keep in mind that this article is provided for information and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be regarded as such. The law may have changed since the publication of the article.

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