Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill

# Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill The Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill addresses a significant barrier that survivors of childhood abuse have faced in seeking justice through the Scottish courts. Under existing limitation laws, legal claims must typically be raised within a fixed time period from when the harm occurred, meaning many survivors—particularly those who only recognised the impact of their abuse in adulthood—were prevented from pursuing compensation or accountability. This legislation recognises that childhood abuse survivors often experience delayed disclosure and recovery, and that rigid time limits can prevent legitimate claims from being heard simply because they are brought years or decades after the abuse took place. The Bill removes the time limit (limitation period) for raising civil claims related to childhood abuse in Scotland, allowing survivors to pursue legal action at any point in their lives regardless of when the abuse occurred. It applies to claims of personal injury arising from abuse during childhood, with "abuse" defined to include physical, sexual, and emotional harm. The legislation also allows the courts discretion in exceptional cases to extend time limits for other types of claims where childhood abuse is a significant factor. By eliminating these temporal barriers, the Bill aims to provide meaningful access to justice for all survivors while maintaining the ability of defenders to present their case and ensure proceedings remain fair.

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