What is the term for a law that limits the period in which an action may be initiated against another party?

The term that describes a law which restricts the time frame in which legal action can be initiated against another party is the statute of limitations. This legal principle serves to promote justice by ensuring that claims are brought forward while evidence is still fresh and available, and it helps to prevent the indefinite threat of legal action. Each jurisdiction may have different statutes of limitations for various types of claims, ensuring that individuals and entities have a reasonable expectation that past conduct will not be subject to legal scrutiny indefinitely.

Common law refers to laws developed through court decisions rather than through statutes, and while it can include elements relating to the time limits for legal actions, it does not specifically denote the defined timeframe itself. Litigation describes the overall process of taking legal action, including the entire spectrum of procedures within a lawsuit. While a summons is a legal document used to notify a defendant of a lawsuit and compel their appearance in court, it does not pertain to the timeframe for initiating an action.