Every claim in Malaysia has a filing deadline under the Limitation Act 1953. Select your claim type and the date it arose, and see exactly how much time you have left to sue — before the right is lost forever.
Usually the date of breach, the accident date, or the date payment fell due — not the date you discovered it (special rules apply to hidden damage and fraud).
The Limitation Act 1953 bars claims filed after a fixed period. The clock generally starts when the cause of action arises — the date of breach or damage — not when you discover the problem, though the 2018 amendment added a latent damage rule for negligence (3 years from knowledge, capped at 15 years).
| Claim | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Contract / debt | 6 years | s.6(1), Limitation Act 1953 |
| Tort (incl. negligence, personal injury) | 6 years | s.6(1), Limitation Act 1953 |
| Recovery of land | 12 years | s.9, Limitation Act 1953 |
| Action on a judgment | 12 years | s.6(3), Limitation Act 1953 |
| Against public authorities | 36 months | s.2, Public Authorities Protection Act 1948 |
| Fatal accident dependency claim | 3 years | s.7(5), Civil Law Act 1956 |
Time can be postponed where the claim is based on fraud, or where fraud or mistake concealed your right of action. A written acknowledgment or part payment of a debt restarts the period. Persons under disability (minors, persons of unsound mind) get extended time. Because these exceptions turn on facts, treat this checker's output as a starting point, never as legal advice — and if you are close to any deadline, file first and argue later.
This tool gives you the numbers. Our lawyers in Cheras, Selangor can advise on your specific situation. Free legal advice and quote via WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Us NowSix years from the date of the breach under section 6(1) of the Limitation Act 1953. For an unpaid debt, time usually runs from the date payment fell due. A written acknowledgment or part payment by the debtor restarts the six-year period.
No — unlike the UK, Malaysia has no shortened personal injury period. Personal injury claims are torts subject to the general 6-year period, except claims against public authorities (36 months) and fatal accident dependency claims (3 years).
No. Only filing the action in court stops time running. A letter of demand has no effect on limitation, so never rely on ongoing negotiations near a deadline — file a protective writ if necessary.
The Limitation (Amendment) Act 2018, in force from 1 September 2019, added section 6A: for negligence claims where damage is hidden (such as defective construction), a claimant has 3 years from the date of knowledge, subject to a 15-year longstop from the negligent act.
You can file, but the defendant can plead limitation as a complete defence. Exceptions — fraud, concealment, mistake, disability, acknowledgment — may save the claim, but they are fact-specific. Get legal advice before abandoning an expired claim, and before filing one.
This tool provides general information based on current Malaysian legislation and publicly available figures. It is not legal advice and does not create a solicitor-client relationship. Figures may change; verify with the relevant authority or consult a lawyer for your specific circumstances.