A statute setting a time limit on legal action in certain cases. statutes of limitations a law which gives the period of time within which action may be taken on a legal question or crime. Legislative act restricting the time within which legal proceedings may be brought, usually to a fixed period after the occurrence of the events that gave rise to the cause of action. Such statutes are enacted to protect persons against claims made after evidence has been lost, memories have faded, or witnesses have disappeared. The periods prescribed for different actions in different jurisdictions vary considerably