Statute-barred debt checker: is your debt too old to chase?
If a creditor waits too long, it can lose the right to take you to court. Enter the dates and see whether an old debt may be statute-barred — and what not to do before you are sure.
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What statute-barred means
In England and Wales, most unsecured debts become statute-barred six years after the creditor’s right to take action began — in practice usually six years after your last payment or written acknowledgement (Limitation Act 1980). After that, a court claim should fail if you raise limitation as a defence, but the debt is not wiped out: the creditor can still ask you to pay. Northern Ireland also uses six years. In Scotland, most debts are extinguished altogether after five years without a payment or acknowledgement.
Be careful what you say
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a payment or a signed letter accepting the debt restarts the six years if it happens before they have run out. Once a debt is statute-barred, a later payment does not revive the right to sue — but it is easy to be wrong about the dates. Collectors sometimes ask for a small “goodwill” payment for exactly that reason. If a debt may be close to statute-barred, do not pay or acknowledge it until you are sure of the dates — a CCA request or a request for a statement of account can help you check the dates without accepting anything. The statute-barred debt guide covers the details.
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Common questions
How many years before a debt is statute-barred?
Six years for most unsecured debts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, usually counted from your last payment or written acknowledgement. In Scotland most debts are extinguished after five years.
Can a statute-barred debt still be collected?
A creditor can still ask you to pay a statute-barred debt in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but it should not threaten or take court action, and a claim should fail if you raise limitation as a defence.
Will paying £1 restart a statute-barred debt?
Not if the debt is already statute-barred: in England, Wales and Northern Ireland a payment after the limitation period has run out does not restart it. Before then, a payment or written acknowledgement does restart the clock, so check the dates before paying anything on an old debt.