Time limits are to be removed for Child Sexual Abuse claims.

I am very pleased to report that today the Government have confirmed that they will implement the recommendation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) to remove the limitation period for child sexual abuse claims.

This follows consultations made by Solicitors, charities and survivors to the Government in 2024.  IISCA heard evidence that a “significant number” of claims were being rejected because it can take “decades for survivors to feel able to discuss their sexual abuse.”

At present a child sexual abuse claim is governed by the Limitation Act 1980, which states that a person has a period of 3 years from the date of the event, or by the age of 21, if the event(s) took place as a child, to bring a claim to Court. This time limit will now be removed.

There is currently a provision in the Limitation Act to ask the Court to apply discretion to disapply limitation, primarily by producing evidence to show that there are reasons for the delay in the presentation of the claim and a fair trial can still take place irrespective of the delay. At present it is for the survivor of the abuse to prove this. 

This burden will now pass to the Defendant, and it is for the Defendant to show that a fair trial cannot proceed. This will enable cases to be heard more easily and protect survivors from reliving the abuse they have suffered.

As a result of the Government announcement all cases brought will proceed unless the Defendant proves that a fair hearing cannot take place.

The Law of Apologises will also be amended to encourage employers to apologise to people wronged by their employees, where they previously feared to do so. This means that survivors are more likely to receive an apology for abuse carried out by an individual who worked for institutions such as schools, care facility or hospitals.

Gabrielle Shaw, Chief Executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), said:

“This is a watershed moment for survivors of child sexual abuse. These reforms recognise the long-term impact of trauma and ensure survivors are not excluded from seeking redress simply because of the time taken to come forward.

NAPAC also welcomes greater clarity on apologies. A sincere apology, when freely given and supported by meaningful action, is invaluable - especially as part of wider efforts to ensure accountability and prevent future harm.

These important changes reflect the growing understanding of what survivors need to access justice and healing, and we welcome the government’s commitment to making them a reality.”

The Government will need to bring in new legislation for these changes to take effect. Previously, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has promised to provide a timeline for implementation of IICSA’s recommendations by Easter.

This announcement follows the confirmation of the implementation of other IICSA’s recommendations in January, such as mandatory reporting and a nationwide review of grooming gang data.

Removal of the limitation period is a change which abuse Solicitors have been campaigning for, for years. It recognises the difficulties that survivors of abuse have in coming forward and disclosing their experiences, and how unfair the current law is.

It is good to see that the Government are committed to implementing these recommendations.

Contact Us

If you have been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse and would like to speak to one of our Specialist Abuse Lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim and/or civil damages claim.

Our Sexual Abuse Compensation Team can be contacted by telephoning 08009555094 or 03303001103.