Part IIA

Prescription of Obligations and Limitation of Actions under Part I of the Consumer Protection Act 1987

Limitation of actions

3 year limitation of actions.
22B
1
This section shall apply to an action to enforce an obligation arising from liability under section 2 of the 1987 Act (to make reparation for damage caused wholly or partly by a defect in a product), except where section 22C of this Act applies.
2
Subject to subsection (4) below, an action to which this section applies shall not be competent unless it is commenced within the period of 3 years after the earliest date on which the person seeking to bring (or a person who could at an earlier date have brought) the action was aware, or on which, in the opinion of the court, it was reasonably practicable for him in all the circumstances to become aware, of all the facts mentioned in subsection (3) below.
3
The facts referred to in subsection (2) above are—
a
that there was a defect in a product;
b
that the damage was caused or partly caused by the defect;
c
that the damage was sufficiently serious to justify the pursuer (or other person referred to in subsection (2) above) in bringing an action to which this section applies on the assumption that the defender did not dispute liability and was able to satisfy a decree;
d
that the defender was a person liable for the damage under the said section 2.
4
In the computation of the period of 3 years mentioned in subsection (2) above, there shall be disregarded any period during which the person seeking to bring the action was under legal disability by reason of nonage or unsoundness of mind.
5
The facts mentioned in subsection (3) above do not include knowledge of whether particular facts and circumstances would or would not, as a matter of law, result in liability for damage under the said section 2.
6
Where a person would be entitled, but for this section, to bring an action for reparation other than one in which the damages claimed are confined to damages for loss of or damage to property, the court may, if it seems to it equitable to do so, allow him to bring the action notwithstanding this section.
Part 2A (ss. 22A–22D) inserted by Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43, SIF 109:1), ss. 6, 41(2), 47(1)(2), Sch. 1 para. 10