CHAPTER 55
LIMITATION OF TIME
Subchapter
A. General Provisions
B. Civil Actions and Proceedings
C. Criminal Proceedings
D. Appeals
Enactment. Chapter 55 was added July 9, 1976, P.L.586, No.142, effective 60 days from the date
of final enactment of the act of April 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53.
Special Provisions in Appendix. See section 25 of Act 142 of 1976 in the appendix to this title for special provisions
relating to the effect of Act 142 on periods of limitations applicable under prior
law.
Cross References. Chapter 55 is referred to in sections 763, 933, 1722, 5103, 7538 of this title; section
108 of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses); section 921 of Title 30 (Fish); section 6302
of Title 75 (Vehicles).
SUBCHAPTER A
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec.
5501. Scope of chapter.
5502. Method of computing periods of limitation generally.
5503. Commencement of matters.
5504. Judicial extension of time.
5505. Modification of orders.
§ 5501. Scope of chapter.
(a) General rule.--An action, proceeding or appeal must be commenced within the time specified in or
pursuant to this chapter unless, in the case of a civil action or proceeding, a different
time is provided by this title or another statute or a shorter time which is not manifestly
unreasonable is prescribed by written agreement.
(b) Uniform Commercial Code.--The provisions of Title 13 (relating to commercial code), to the extent that they
are inconsistent with this chapter, shall control over the provisions of this chapter.
(c) Equitable matters.--Nothing in this chapter shall modify the principles of waiver, laches and estoppel
and similar principles heretofore applicable in equitable matters.
(Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; Nov. 1, 1979, P.L.255, No.86, eff.
Jan. 1, 1980; Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409,
No.326, eff. imd.; July 11, 1996, P.L.607, No.104, eff. 60 days)
Notes of Decisions
United Nat'l Ins. v. J.H. France Refractories Co., 668 A.2d 120 (Pa. 1995).
· cites it 12× “§ 5501, pertaining to statutes of limitation, and added subsection (c), which provides: "[t]his chapter is applicable to equitable matters, but nothing in this chapter shall modify the principles of waiver, laches, and estoppel and similar principles heretofore applicable in…”
Osprey Portfolio, LLC v. Izett, 67 A.3d 749 (Pa. 2013).
· cites it 4× “Section 5525(a)(7) pertains to [a]n action upon a negotiable or nonnegotiable bond, note or other similar instrument in writing.... 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)(7). Neither party argues that this subsection applies to the present facts.”
Witherspoon v. City of Philadelphia, 768 A.2d 1079 (Pa. 2001).
· cites it 2× “" 42 Pa.C.S. § 5501(a) (emphasis added). The legislature has defined the commencement of an action as, "[a] matter is commenced for the purposes of this chapter when a document embodying the matter is filed in an office authorized .”
Ash v. Cont'l Ins., 932 A.2d 877 (Pa. 2007).
“See 42 Pa.C.S. § 5501 et seq. It states the following actions are subject to a two-year limitations period: (1) An action for assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution or malicious abuse of process.”
Grosso v. Fed. Express Corp., 467 F. Supp. 2d 449 (E.D. Pa. 2006).
· cites it 2× “” 42 Pa.C.S. § 5501(a). 3 It is well-established that a one-year statute of limitations is “not manifestly unreasonable” under § 5501(a).”
Aluminum Co. of Am. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 140 Wash. 2d 517 (Wash. 2000).
“1999) (citing 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 5501(a)). Washington insurance law similarly permits suit limitation clauses, provided “such limitation shall not be to a period of less than one year from the date of the loss.”
Raleigh v. Westinghouse Elec. Corp., 550 A.2d 1013 (Pa. 1988).
· cites it 2× “The trial court properly found that Pennsylvania’s general statute of limitations detailed in 42 Pa.C.S. § 5501 governs Raleigh’s action.”
Wilkinson v. Ellis, 484 F. Supp. 1072 (E.D. Pa. 1980).
“We note that Pennsylvania has recently amended some of its limitations statutes, see 42 Pa.C.S. § 5501 et seq., but we do not consider the applicability of the amendments because they expressly provide that they cannot revive a time-barred claim.”
Commonwealth v. Allen, 59 A.3d 677 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2012).
“” 42 Pa. C.S. § 5501(a) (emphasis added). The Judicial Code defines an “action” as “[a]ny action at law or in equity.”
Caln Vill. Assocs., LP v. Home Indem. Co., 75 F. Supp. 2d 404 (E.D. Pa. 1999).
“42 Pa.Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5501(a). Here, but for the suit limitations clause, the applicable statute of limitations would be four years.”
— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5501(a) — 19 cases
Witherspoon v. City of Philadelphia, 768 A.2d 1079 (Pa. 2001).
“" 42 Pa.C.S. § 5501(a) (emphasis added). The legislature has defined the commencement of an action as, "[a] matter is commenced for the purposes of this chapter when a document embodying the matter is filed in an office authorized .”
Grosso v. Fed. Express Corp., 467 F. Supp. 2d 449 (E.D. Pa. 2006).
“” 42 Pa.C.S. § 5501(a). 3 It is well-established that a one-year statute of limitations is “not manifestly unreasonable” under § 5501(a).”
United Nat'l Ins. v. J.H. France Refractories Co., 668 A.2d 120 (Pa. 1995).
“§ 5501, pertaining to statutes of limitation, and added subsection (c), which provides: "[t]his chapter is applicable to equitable matters, but nothing in this chapter shall modify the principles of waiver, laches, and estoppel and similar principles heretofore applicable in…”
Aluminum Co. of Am. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 140 Wash. 2d 517 (Wash. 2000).
“1999) (citing 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 5501(a)). Washington insurance law similarly permits suit limitation clauses, provided “such limitation shall not be to a period of less than one year from the date of the loss.”
— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5501(b) — 2 cases
Osprey Portfolio, LLC v. Izett, 67 A.3d 749 (Pa. 2013).
“Section 5525(a)(7) pertains to [a]n action upon a negotiable or nonnegotiable bond, note or other similar instrument in writing.... 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)(7). Neither party argues that this subsection applies to the present facts.”
— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5501(c) — 3 cases
United Nat'l Ins. v. J.H. France Refractories Co., 668 A.2d 120 (Pa. 1995).
“§ 5501, pertaining to statutes of limitation, and added subsection (c), which provides: "[t]his chapter is applicable to equitable matters, but nothing in this chapter shall modify the principles of waiver, laches, and estoppel and similar principles heretofore applicable in…”
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