Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/542

 PUBLIC LAW 88-241-DEC. 23, 1963

510

[77 STAT.

persons who are parties to the action. A def^dant who is made a new party to the action may not be burdened with debts, damages, or costs beyond the amount of property or assets that have descended or come to his hands from the deceased. § 12-104. Marriage of party An action does not abate by the marriage of a party. On application of a party the court may, on such terms and notice as it aeems proper, allow and order any amendment in the pleadings and the making of any new or additional parties that the marriage may render necessary or proper. CHAPTER 3—LIMITATION OF ACTIONS See.

12-301. 12-302. 12^U3. 12-304. 12-305. 12-306. 12-307. 12-3K. 12-309.

Limitation of time for bringing actiona. Disability of plaintiff. Absence or concealment of defendant. Actions stayed by court or statute. Actions against decedents' estates. Directions as to debts In a wllL Foreign Judgments. Actions by the United States. Actions against District of Columbia for luiliquidjitod damages; time for notice.

§12-^01. Limitation of time for bringing actions Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, actions for the following purposes may not be brought after the expiration of the period specified below from the time the right to maintain the action accrues: (1) for the recovery of lands, tenements, or hereditaments—15 years; (2) for the recovery of personal property or damages for its unlawful detention—3 years; (3) for the recovery of damages for an iivjiiry to real or personal property—3 years; (4) for libel, slander, assault, battery, mayhem, wounding, malicious prosecution, false arrest or false imprisonment—1 year; (5) for a statutory penalty or forfeiture—1 year; (6) on an executor's or administrator's bond—6 years; on any other bond or single bill, covenant, or other instrument under seal—12 years; (7) on a simple contract, express or implied—3 years; (8) for which a limitation is not otherwise specially prescribed 3 years. § 12-302. Disability of plaintiff (a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, when a person entitled to maintain an action is, at the time the right of action accrues: (1) under 21 years of age; or (2) noncompos mentis; or (3) imprisoned— he or his proper representative may bring action within the time limited after the disability is removed. (b) When a person entitled to maintain an action for the recovery of lands, tenements, or hereditaments, or upon an instrument under seal, is under any of the disabilities specified by subsection (a) of this section at the time the right of action accrues, he or his proper representative, except where otherwise specified herein, may bring the action within 5 years after the disability is removed, and not thereafter.

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