5. How Long Have I Got to Start a Case?

The deadlines for starting a case are pretty strict and the court may not allow you to bring a claim if you are late. The time limits usually run from the time of the incident that led to action being taken by police.

• Six months if you are making a claim under discrimination law
• One year if you are making a claim for a breach of your human rights
• Three years for assault resulting in personal injury
• Three years for all other claims – although the law is uncertain in this area and it could be longer

Even if you are very late in making a claim you may have up to six years (except for those explicitly listed above), so it is worth contacting a solicitor to see if you are still within time.

Contact a solicitor as soon as possible for advice. Apart from anything else memories fade and documents disappear.

NB: In malicious prosecution the time limit runs from the date of the decision to charge you and not from when you were acquitted.