---

name: heuristic-statute-of-limitations-flag
description: Use whenever a user is analyzing a potential claim, drafting litigation strategy, or negotiating a settlement where time sensitivity matters. Automatically check and flag limitation/prescription periods for the relevant jurisdiction and claim type, calculate remaining time from the accrual date, and escalate urgently if the period is less than 6 months or 30 days. Covers LB, UAE federal, KSA, DIFC/ADGM, and notes EU/civil-law variability. Statute clock misses are unrecoverable errors.
license: MIT
metadata:
id: heuristic.statute-of-limitations-flag
category: heuristic
priority: P0
intent: [core, limitation-period, prescription, pre-litigation, claims, MENA]
related: [heuristic-numbers-and-dates-double-check, heuristic-always-state-jurisdiction-first, heuristic-refuse-if-no-jurisdiction-given, kb-litigation-mena]
source: Louis — HAQQ Legal AI (github.com/sboghossian/mini-claude-for-legal)
version: "1.0"

Statute of Limitations Flag

When this applies

This heuristic fires in any context where a legal claim may exist or be contemplated:

• Pre-litigation analysis ("Can I still bring this claim?")
• Claim drafting and pleading preparation.
• Settlement negotiation (remaining limitation period is a material factor in settlement value).
• Advising a client on a dispute that has been ongoing without formal action.
• Reviewing a contract claim where a breach occurred some time ago.
• Any matter note that references a past event that could give rise to a claim.

Statute clock misses are unrecoverable. A claim that is time-barred cannot be revived. This heuristic is P0 because missing a limitation period is a professional liability event.

The check protocol

Before drafting or advising on any claim, run this five-step protocol:

1. Identify the claim type: contract? tort? employment? commercial? insurance? Limitation periods differ by claim type within the same jurisdiction.
2. Identify the accrual date: when did the cause of action arise? Typically: for contract claims, the date of breach; for tort, the date the damage occurred (or was discoverable).
3. Identify the applicable limitation period for the claim type and jurisdiction (see table below).
4. Calculate the remaining period: Accrual date + limitation period = expiry date. Flag if < 6 months remaining.
5. Check tolling events: has the clock been suspended (tolled)? Events that may toll the clock include: minority of the claimant, acknowledged debt/obligation by the debtor, ongoing negotiations, force majeure.

Limitation periods by jurisdiction

All periods below are indicative. Verify against current law before advising — legislation changes and shorter periods frequently apply to specific claim subtypes.

Lebanon (Code of Obligations and Contracts)

Claim type	Period	Notes
Tort (general)	3 years	Art. 257 COC; from date of damage or discovery
Contract (general commercial)	10 years	Art. 349 CCO
Insurance claims	2 years	Shorter specific period
Maritime claims	1 year	Shorter specific period
Wage claims	1 year	From termination or last payment
Real estate actions	Varies	Check specific provisions; some are very short

Note: Lebanon's judicial system has been under significant operational stress since 2019. Court backlogs and practical enforcement of limitation rules should be verified with local counsel.

UAE Federal

Claim type	Period	Notes
Tort (civil)	3 years	Civil Transactions Law
Contract (general)	15 years	Civil Transactions Law — general contract
Commercial contracts	10 years	Commercial Transactions Law
Employment claims	1 year	From termination; MOHRE/court
Insurance claims	3 years	Insurance Law specific period
Cheque dishonor	1 year	Commercial Transactions Law

Note: Emirate-level regulations (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) may impose shorter periods for specific regulated activities.

KSA

KSA limitation periods are less codified than civil-law systems. They are derived from Sharia principles and applied by judicial discretion, supplemented by specific statutes for commercial, labor, and regulatory matters.

Claim type	Indicative period	Notes
Commercial contracts	10 years	Indicative; verify with local counsel
Labor claims	1 year	From termination; Labor Law
Insurance claims	5 years	SAMA regulatory guidance
Real estate	Varies	Verify per transaction type

Critical: KSA limitation periods are fact-specific and judicial-discretion-based. Always obtain local counsel confirmation.

DIFC and ADGM

DIFC and ADGM follow English-model limitation periods:

Claim type	Period	Notes
Contract	6 years	DIFC Limitation Law; ADGM Limitation Regulations
Tort	3 years	With discoverability extension where applicable
Personal injury	3 years	With specific rules on discoverability
Latent damage (property/professional negligence)	3 years from discovery (max 15 years from act)

EU / Civil-law (general)

EU member states and civil-law jurisdictions have their own limitation regimes, typically 2–10 years for contract and tort, subject to statutory variation per claim type and country. Always identify the specific member state law before advising.

Escalation thresholds

Remaining period	Action
> 12 months	Note the limitation period in the advice; no urgency flag
6–12 months	Flag as "limitation approaching — calendar for action"
< 6 months	Priority flag: "Statute of limitations concern — fewer than 6 months remaining. Immediate review required."
< 30 days	Urgent escalation: "Statute expires in [N] days. Immediate filing or tolling action required." Surface to the supervising lawyer / partner immediately

Tolling events

The limitation clock may be suspended or reset by:

• Minority of the claimant: in many civil-law systems, the clock does not run against minors (verify per jurisdiction).
• Acknowledgment of debt: if the debtor acknowledges the obligation in writing, many civil-law systems reset the clock. Advise clients to obtain written acknowledgment of debt from counterparties where the clock is running.
• Ongoing negotiations: some civil-law systems toll the period during active negotiations. This is jurisdiction-specific and should not be relied upon without verification.
• Legal incapacity: insolvency proceedings, force majeure events, or legal incapacity of the claimant may toll the period.
• Agreement to toll: parties may agree in writing to extend the limitation period in some jurisdictions (not all jurisdictions permit this).

Common mistakes

Mistake	Risk
Using the general period without checking for shorter specific periods	Claim may be barred by a shorter subject-matter-specific period
Miscalculating the accrual date	Entire limitation analysis is based on wrong start date
Assuming the general contract period applies to employment claims	Employment limitation periods are typically much shorter (1 year in UAE and KSA)
Relying on a statute period without verifying against current law	Periods may have changed by amendment
Treating KSA periods as definitive	KSA periods require local counsel verification; judicial discretion is real

Related skills

• [[heuristic-numbers-and-dates-double-check]]
• [[heuristic-always-state-jurisdiction-first]]
• [[heuristic-refuse-if-no-jurisdiction-given]]
• [[kb-litigation-mena]]