Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act, 1991

What is this act about?

This law amends the Statute of Limitations, 1957, primarily by changing how the time limit for bringing legal actions for certain personal injuries is calculated. It introduces new rules for when the limitation period begins, especially concerning the date a person becomes aware of their injury.

Who it applies to: Individuals who have suffered personal injuries; Personal representatives or dependants of individuals who have suffered personal injuries or fatal injuries.

At a glance

Country: Ireland
Area of law: Other legislation
Articles: 8
Source: irishstatutebook.ie
Text retrieved: 2026-06-17
Explanation updated: 2026-07-07

What does this act regulate?

The starting date for the time limit to bring actions for personal injuries.
The time limit for actions related to personal injuries caused by negligence, nuisance, or breach of duty.
The survival of causes of action for personal injuries when the injured person dies.
The extension of the limitation period for individuals with disabilities.
The period of limitation for cases involving fatal injuries.

Who does this act apply to?

Individuals who have suffered personal injuries.
Personal representatives or dependants of individuals who have suffered personal injuries or fatal injuries.
Defendants in actions related to personal injuries.

What are the key points?

The time limit for bringing an action for personal injuries is generally three years from the date the cause of action accrued or the date of knowledge of the injured person, whichever is later.
"Date of knowledge" includes when a person first knew they were injured, that the injury was significant, that it was attributable to an act or omission, and the identity of the defendant.
For actions where death is caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default, the time limit is three years from the date of death or the date of knowledge of the person for whose benefit the action is brought, whichever is later.
If a person with the right to bring an action was under a disability at the time the right accrued or at their date of knowledge, the action may be brought within three years from when they ceased to be under a disability or died.

Legal guide

What to do after a car accident in Ireland: legal duties and claims

Making a personal injury claim in Ireland: Injuries Resolution Board

Injured at work in Ireland: compensation, benefits and time limits

Other legislation

Appropriation Act 2014

Oireachtas (Miscellaneous Provisions) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment) Act, 1996

British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999

Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1993

Radiological Protection (Amendment) Act 2018

Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act, 1925

Curragh of Kildare Act, 1961

Performers' Protection Act, 1968

Other legislation

Legal text

Contents (8)

Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8

Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act, 1991 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 1991 Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act, 1991 Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act, 1991 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Revised Act Acht Athbh… Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 18 of 1991 STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1991 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section

Section 1

Definition.

Section 2

Date of knowledge for the purposes of this Act.

Section 3

Special time limit for actions in respect of personal injuries.

Section 4

Survival of causes of action to which section 3 applies.

Section 5

Extension of limitation period in case of disability.

Section 6

Period of limitation in cases of fatal injuries.

Section 7

Application of Act.

Section 8

Short title, construction and collective citation.

Acts Referred to Civil Liability Act, 1961 1961, No. 41 Control of Dogs Act, 1986 1986, No. 32 Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 1980, No. 16 Statute of Limitations, 1957 1957, No. 6 Number 18 of 1991 STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1991 AN ACT TO AMEND AND EXTEND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, 1957 , BY MAKING NEW PROVISIONS AS REGARDS THE DATE FROM WHICH THE PERIOD OF LIMITATION IS TO RUN IN RESPECT OF ACTIONS FOR CERTAIN PERSONAL INJURIES, AND TO AMEND RELATED PROVISIONS IN OTHER STATUTES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH. [10th July, 1991] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

Definition.

1.—In this Act “the Principal Act” means the Statute of Limitations, 1957 .

Date of knowledge for the purposes of this Act.

2.—(1) For the purposes of any provision of this Act whereby the time within which an action in respect of an injury may be brought depends on a person's date of knowledge (whether he is the person injured or a personal representative or dependant of the person injured) references to that person's date of knowledge are references to the date on which he first had knowledge of the following facts: (a) that the person alleged to have been injured had been injured, (b) that the injury in question was significant, (c) that the injury was attributable in whole or in part to the act or omission which is alleged to constitute negligence, nuisance or breach of duty, (d) the identity of the defendant, and (e) if it is alleged that the act or omission was that of a person other than the defendant, the identity of that person and the additional facts supporting the bringing of an action against the defendant; and knowledge that any acts or omissions did or did not, as a matter of law, involve negligence, nuisance or breach of duty is irrelevant.

(2)For the purposes of this section, a person's knowledge includes knowledge which he might reasonably have been expected to acquire— (a) from facts observable or ascertainable by him, or (b) from facts ascertainable by him with the help of medical or other appropriate expert advice which it is reasonable for him to seek.

(3)Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section— (a) a person shall not be fixed under this section with knowledge of a fact ascertainable only with the help of expert advice so long as he has taken all reasonable steps to obtain (and, where appropriate, to act on) that advice; and (b) a person injured shall not be fixed under this section with knowledge of a fact relevant to the injury which he has failed to acquire as a result of that injury.

Special time limit for actions in respect of personal injuries.

3.—(1) An action, other than one to which section 6 of this Act applies, claiming damages in respect of personal injuries to a person caused by negligence, nuisance or breach of duty (whether the duty exists by virtue of a contract or of a provision made by or under a statute or independently of any contract or any such provision) shall not be brought after the expiration of three years from the date on which the cause of action accrued or the date of knowledge (if later) of the person injured.

(2)Section 11 (2) of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraphs (a) and (b): “(a) Subject to paragraph (c) of this subsection and to section 3

(1)of the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act, 1991, an action founded on tort shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued.”.

(3)Notwithstanding section 11 (2) (d) (inserted by section 13

(8)of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 ) of the Principal Act, an action for damages under section 13 (7) of the said Act of 1980 which consist of or include damages in respect of personal injuries to any person may be brought within two years of the date of knowledge of the person injured if that date is later than the date on which the cause of action accrued.

(4)The reference in section 21

(4)(b) of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 , to section 11 (2) (b) of the Principal Act shall be construed as a reference to subsection (1) of this section.

Survival of causes of action to which section 3 applies.

4.—(1) If an injured person to whom section 3 of this Act applies dies before the expiration of the period specified in that section, any action that may be brought for the benefit of his estate in respect of a cause of action to which that section applies by virtue of section 7 of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 , may be brought at any time before the expiration of three years from— (a) the date of death, or (b) the date of the personal representative's knowledge, whichever is the later.

(2)For the purposes of this section— (a) “personal representative” includes any person who is or has been a personal representative of the deceased, including an executor who has not proved the will (whether or not he has renounced probate), and (b) where a person acquires knowledge of the injury before his appointment as personal representative of the deceased, the date of knowledge of that person shall be taken to be the date of his appointment as personal representative.

(3)If there is more than one personal representative and their dates of knowledge are different, subsection (1) (b) of this section shall be construed as referring to the earliest of those dates.

Extension of limitation period in case of disability.

5.—(1) Notwithstanding anything in section 49 (1) (a) of the Principal Act, if, in the case of— (a) an action of the kind to which section 3 of this Act applies, or (b) an action under section 48

(1)of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 (being an action where death is caused by wrongful act, neglect or default), the person having the right to bring the action was under a disability either at the time when that right accrued to him or at the date of his knowledge, the action may be brought at any time before the expiration of three years from the date when he ceased to be under a disability or died, whichever event first occurred, notwithstanding that the period specified in the said section 3 has expired, but section 49 (1) (c) of the Principal Act shall apply accordingly.

(2)Subsection (1) of this section shall not affect any case where the right of action first accrued to some person (not under a disability) through whom the person under a disability claims.

(3)Notwithstanding section 49 (5) of the Principal Act (inserted by section 13

(8)of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 ), in the case of an action under section 13 (7) of the said Act of 1980, of the kind to which section 3 of this Act applies, subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall have effect as if for the words “three years” there were substituted the words “two years”.

(4)Section 49 (2) of the Principal Act is hereby repealed.

Period of limitation in cases of fatal injuries.

6.—(1) An action under section 48

(1)of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 , shall not be brought after the expiration of three years from— (a) the date of death, or (b) the date of knowledge of the person for whose benefit the action is brought, whichever is the later.

(2)Where there is more than one person for whose benefit an action under section 48 (1) of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 , is brought, subsection (1) (b) of this section shall be applied separately to each of them.

(3)If, by virtue of subsection (2) of this section, the action would be outside the time limit applicable by virtue of subsection (1) of this section as regards one or more, but not all, of the persons for whose benefit it is brought, the court shall direct that any person as regards whom the action would be outside that limit shall be excluded from those for whom the action is brought.

(4)The court shall not give such a direction if it is shown that if the action were brought exclusively for the benefit of the person in question it would not be defeated by a defence of limitation, whether in consequence of section 5 of this Act or of an agreement between the parties not to raise the defence or otherwise.

(5)

Section 48

(6)of the Civil Liability Act, 1961 , is hereby repealed.

Application of Act.

7.—This Act shall apply to all causes of action whether accruing before or after its passing and to proceedings pending at its passing.

Short title, construction and collective citation.

8.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act, 1991.

(2)The Principal Act and this Act shall be construed as one, and may be cited together as the Statutes of Limitation, 1957 and 1991.

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