Translation guide
The legal time limit for bringing a case. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific legal terms, most commonly 時効 (jikō).
The period after which legal action cannot be taken.
The standard legal term for statute of limitations in both criminal and civil contexts.
Describing that the time limit has run out.
Common way to say something becomes time-barred.
その借金はもう時効になっている。
That debt is already past the statute of limitations.
When the time limit is paused or extended.
The statute of limitations is interrupted (e.g., by filing a lawsuit).
訴訟を起こすと時効が中断する。
Filing a lawsuit interrupts the statute of limitations.
The English phrase 'statute of limitations' is a specific legal concept. Avoid literal translations like 制限の法令 (seigen no hōrei), which would not be understood.
この犯罪の時効は10年です。
The statute of limitations for this crime is 10 years.
時効が成立した。
The statute of limitations has expired.
Specifically refers to the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution.
公訴時効が廃止された。
The statute of limitations for prosecution was abolished.
More formal legal phrasing for the completion of the limitation period.
時効が完成するまであと1年ある。
There is one year left until the statute of limitations is completed.
The statute of limitations is extended.
法律改正で時効が延長された。
The statute of limitations was extended by the legal amendment.