Limitation Act 1981

Subject to this section, where this or any other Act, or an instrument of a legislative or administrative character prescribes or limits the time for:

instituting an action;

doing an act, or taking a step in an action; or

doing an act or taking a step with a view to instituting an action,

a court may extend the time so prescribed or limited to such an extent, and upon such terms, if any, as it thinks fit.

A court may exercise the powers conferred by this section in respect of an action that it:

has jurisdiction to entertain; or

would, if the action were not out of time, have jurisdiction to entertain.

This section does not:

apply to criminal proceedings; or

apply to an action on a cause of action for defamation; or

empower a court to extend a limitation period prescribed by this

Act unless it is satisfied that:

facts material to the plaintiff's case were not ascertained by him until some time within 12 months before the expiration of the limitation period or occurring after the expiration of that period, and that the action was instituted within 12 months after the ascertainment of those facts by the plaintiff; or

the plaintiff's failure to institute the action within the limitation period resulted from representations or conduct of the defendant, or a person whom the plaintiff reasonably believed to be acting on behalf of the defendant, and was reasonable in view of those representations or that conduct and other relevant circumstances,

and that in all the circumstances of the case, it is just to grant the extension of time.

Where an extension of time is sought under this section in respect of the commencement of an action, the action may be instituted in the normal manner, but the process by which it is instituted must be endorsed with a statement to the effect that the plaintiff seeks an extension of time pursuant to this section.

Proceedings under this section may be determined by the court at any time before or after the close of pleadings.

This section does not:

derogate from any other provision under which a court may extend or abridge time prescribed or limited by an Act or an instrument of a legislative or administrative character; or

affect a rule of law or equity under which a limitation period affecting a right to bring an action may be extended or within which an action may be brought notwithstanding the expiration of the limitation period.

This section extends to an action in which the damages claimed consist of or include damages in respect of personal injuries to any person or to an action which arises under the Compensation (Fatal

Injuries) Act 1974 notwithstanding that the limitation period for that action has expired before:

the commencement of this Act; or

an application is made under this section in respect of the action.

Division 3 Extension of limitation period for defamation