The Limitation Act, 1963 is a crucial law in India that prescribes the time period within which a person can file a lawsuit or appeal in a court. If a suit is filed after the limitation period has expired, it is considered ‘time-barred,’ and the court will dismiss it.

The limitation period for filing a suit for the recovery of money based on a contract, loan, or promissory note is three years from the date the cause of action arises (e.g., the date of default on the loan).

According to the General Clauses Act, the first day (the day the cause of action arose) is excluded from the calculation. For example, if a 30-day period starts on January 1st, the 30th day would be January 31st.

If the court is closed on the day the limitation period expires, the suit or application can be filed on the next day the court reopens. This is covered under Section 4 of the Limitation Act.

Under the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), a defendant must file their written statement within 30 days from the date of service of the summons. This can be extended by the court for reasons to be recorded in writing, but not beyond 90 days from the date of service of summons.

Condonation of delay is a discretionary power of the court, under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, to admit an appeal or application even after the prescribed time has expired, provided the applicant can show ‘sufficient cause’ for the delay. This does not apply to the filing of original suits.

The limitation period for filing an appeal to the High Court from a decree or order of a subordinate court is ninety days from the date of the decree or order.

Key annual deadlines include filing Form ADT-1 for auditor appointment, holding an Annual General Meeting (AGM) within 6 months of the financial year-end, and filing annual returns (Form MGT-7) and financial statements (Form AOC-4) with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

While there is no single statutory deadline for replying to all legal notices, the notice itself usually specifies a time period, commonly 15 or 30 days. For a cheque bounce notice under Section 138 of the NI Act, the deadline to make payment is strictly 15 days from the receipt of the notice.

The calendar tool allows you to set the date the ’cause of action’ arose as the start date. The cause of action is the set of facts that entitle a person to sue another. The limitation period begins from this date.

The limitation period for the execution of a decree (other than a decree granting a mandatory injunction) is twelve years from the date the decree becomes enforceable.

Yes, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) specifies its own limitation periods for taking cognizance of certain offenses. For example, it’s six months for an offense punishable only with a fine, and three years for an offense punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding one year but not exceeding three years.

For individual taxpayers whose accounts are not required to be audited, the due date for filing their Income Tax Return (ITR) is typically July 31st of the assessment year (following the financial year).

No. The period of limitation is prescribed by statute and cannot be extended by the mutual consent or agreement of the parties. Any agreement to do so would be void under Section 28 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.

Yes. If a debtor makes a part-payment towards a debt or gives a written acknowledgment of the debt before the original limitation period expires, a fresh period of limitation starts from the date of that payment or acknowledgment.