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ACKNOWLEDGMENT / PART PAYMENTS EXTENDING LIMITATION

 Hello friends, today we will talk about few provisions of the Limitation Act, 1963 governing the extension of the time for instituting a case against the person who has committed default in court of law. Normally, the period of limitation in cases for recovery of money is 3 years from the date of accrual of cause of action. However, there are certain provisions mentioned in the limitation act where this period can be extended in certain peculiar circumstances as explained below:

Sec 18 of the Limitation Act

As per this provision, if there is an acknowledgment made in writing before the expiry of the prescribed period of limitation by the person against whom such right is claimed or by anyone upon his behalf, in such an event a fresh period of limitation is started to institute action. Thus, a suit for breach of contract may be filed even after expiry of prescribed period of 3 years in case it is accompanied by an acknowledgment in writing by the person against whom it is being filed.

Sec 19 of the Limitation Act

As per this provision, in cases where some part payment on account of principal debt or interest is being received by the creditor within the prescribed period of limitation, in such an event a fresh period of limitation is said to commence on the date of receiving such amount. In case a post dated cheque is given to the creditor for some part payment, in such an even the date written on the cheque is treated to be the date from which the fresh period of limitation shall begin afresh and not the date of handing over the cheque in question.

Sec 20 of the Limitation Act

As per this provision, in case the person who is liable to pay or give acknowledgment is under any disability or otherwise and he/she cannot act upon as the case may be , any other person, including his lawful guardian, manager, or an agent duly authorized can sign the acknowledgment as per Sec 18 of the Act, or make part payment on his behalf as contemplated under Sec 19 of the Act.

 

CONCLUSION

The part payment made or the acknowledgment made as contemplated in the above explained provisions does not amount to creation of new cause of action however it merely extends the present cause of action. Thus, these provisions only come into play only if the acknowledgment signed or part payment made as the case may be are made within the prescribed period of limitation originally governing the parties. The statement made between the parties in such an event must not therefore necessarily contain the original terms of the transactions, but must indicate the jural relation between the parties that being of the creditor and the debtor respectively.

 

I hope I have been clear in explaining the topic as mentioned above. For any query please write to us in comment section below.

Comments

  1. Kailash Madan17 July 2021 at 03:04

    Wakeelsaab, Thanks for enlightening us on Law of Limitations, which is very crucial when pursuing a suit by the parties. Regards, Kailash Madan, Mcom.LL.B, CAIIB,ACS

    ReplyDelete

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