Limitation
Act, 1963
Twenty-two chapter notes covering the law that bars the remedy when the right is not pursued in time — computation, condonation, exclusion, the running of time, the Schedule's three articles, and the doctrines of acknowledgement, part-payment, and continuing wrong. Article first, scheme second, leading case third.
Time-bars in Indian law — the Schedule that decides whether you can sue at all.
The Limitation Act is the most cross-cutting procedural statute in Indian law. Every plaint, every appeal, every revision, every execution petition is filtered through one of the 137 articles in the Schedule. A correct plaint filed one day late is dismissed; a wrong plaint filed in time can be amended. Limitation is the first inquiry the court makes and the last argument a defendant raises.
These notes anchor every chapter to the precise Article of the Schedule read with the operative section of the Act. The three doctrines that excuse the bar — acknowledgement under Section 18, part-payment under Section 19, and the continuing-wrong rule under Section 22 — are read together with the exclusions in Sections 12 to 15 and the Section 5 discretion to condone delay.
Each chapter is designed to be read in twelve to fifteen minutes and to leave the reader with the Article number, the operative section, the starting point of the period, the excluding and extending events, and the leading authority.
How to read these notes
Start with the Article.
Every limitation question begins with finding the right Article in the Schedule. The Schedule has 137 articles arranged in three divisions — suits relating to accounts, suits relating to contracts, suits relating to declarations, suits relating to decrees and instruments, and so on. The operative section of the Act then tells you when the period begins and ends.
Test the exclusions and extensions.
The bare period in the Schedule is the starting point. Section 12 excludes the day on which the period began and the day of pronouncement of judgment. Section 14 excludes time spent in court without jurisdiction. Section 18 extends the period from a fresh acknowledgement. Section 19 extends from part-payment. Section 22 keeps time running afresh from each fresh wrong.
Test on the leading case.
If you can restate the holding of Collector, Land Acquisition v. Katiji, Bhagmal v. Kunwar Lal, or Khatri Hotels Pvt Ltd v. Union of India in two sentences, you understand the chapter. If not, return to the statutory section and rebuild from there.
All 22 chapters, in 6 groups
Sequenced through the Act's natural structure — every chapter sits in a doctrinal cluster.Foundations & Computation
Sections 2–11 — what the Act covers and how time runs
The Act's scheme, the meaning of suit, application, and appeal, the bar on suits filed beyond the prescribed period, the computation rules including the day-of-event exclusion, and the legal disability extension under Section 6 for minors and persons of unsound mind.
Introduction — Object, History and Scheme of Limitation Act
LIM · 02Bar of Limitation (Section 3) — Effect on Suits, Appeals, Applications
LIM · 03Computation of Period of Limitation — Inclusion and Exclusion of Time (Sections 12–24)
LIM · 04Exclusion of Time of Proceedings Bona Fide in Court Without Jurisdiction (Section 14)
Exclusions & Section 5 Condonation
Sections 12–15 — when time is not counted, plus the appeal-only escape
The four operative exclusions: day-of-event under Section 12, court-without-jurisdiction time under Section 14, stay-of-suit time under Section 15, and the limited Section 5 discretion to condone delay in appeals and applications. The Katiji liberal construction.
Acknowledgement, Part-Payment & Continuing Wrong
Sections 18–22 — the three extensions of time
Three doctrines that restart or extend the running of limitation. Acknowledgement of liability in writing under Section 18, part-payment of debt or interest under Section 19, and the continuing-wrong rule under Section 22 that gives a fresh cause of action for each fresh act.
Effect of Defects & the Bar on Acquisition
Sections 23–28 — what limitation does to substantive rights
Limitation as a procedural bar that ordinarily affects only the remedy, the rule that suits must be instituted within the period prescribed, and the substantive effect on title — extinction of rights under Section 27 in a suit for possession, and acquisition of an easement by prescription.
The Schedule — Articles 1 to 137
The three divisions and their major articles
The Schedule's three divisions: suits, appeals, and applications. The major articles for contract suits, money suits, possession suits, declaratory suits, suits for redemption of mortgage, suits for specific performance, and the residuary articles 113 (suits) and 137 (applications).
Article-Wise Analysis — Suits Relating to Immovable Property (Articles 56–67)
LIM · 17Article-Wise Analysis — Suits Relating to Movable Property (Articles 68–91)
LIM · 18Article-Wise Analysis — Suits Relating to Tort (Articles 72–91)
LIM · 19Article-Wise Analysis — Other Suits and Suits for Which No Period Provided (Articles 113, 137)
Cross-Cutting Doctrines & Wrap-Up
Adverse possession + interface with CPC + reference
The three remaining doctrines that cross-cut the entire field. Adverse possession and the twelve-year rule under Article 65, the interface with CPC's Section 5 condonation and Order VII Rule 11(d) plaint rejection, and the landmark Supreme Court decisions on limitation and condonation.