## How the limitation period applies

The controlling primary authority for US-AZ libel written defamation SOL (A.R.S. § 12-541(1)) is **A.R.S. § 12-541(1)**.

> **A.R.S. § 12-541(1).** There shall be commenced and prosecuted within one year after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions: 1. For malicious prosecution, or for false imprisonment, or for injuries done to the character or reputation of another by libel or slander.

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DocketMath's statute-of-limitations tool can model these timelines once you identify the controlling claim type and accrual date. Use the source panel for the verified primary-source citations.

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## Sources

- [A.R.S. § 12-541(1) — Malicious prosecution; false imprisonment; libel or slander; ... one year limitation](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/00541.htm)

All sources are official primary law published by `www.azleg.gov`.

**Corroboration method:** government_primary_source_direct_fetch.


Statute of Limitations for Libel (written defamation) in Arizona.

Statute of Limitations for Libel (written defamation) in Arizona

ANO-831 wave (2026-04-29): per-claim primary verification deepening. Re-fetched all six AZ primary URLs (12-541, 12-542, 12-543, 12-548, 12-551, 47-2725) live from azleg.gov. Populated period/type/citation/source_url/raw_statute_text for all 14 claim_types with verbatim statute quotations. Top-level § 12-542 raw_statute_text corrected to verbatim (subsections 2/5/6 had paraphrase drift: 'wrongful act, neglect or default' → 'when death ensues from such injuries'; 'such personal property' → 'such property'; 'forcible entry and forcible detainer, which shall accrue at the time' → 'forcible entry or forcible detainer, which action shall be considered as accruing at the commencement'). § 12-548 sub_rule extended to include subsection B and the credit-card paragraph/subdivision specifier. legal_malpractice AUDIT: confirmed 2yr is correct for AZ — Cecala v. Newman applies general § 12-542(1) PI SOL to legal-mal (NOT a harvester miscoding like NJ 6yr / VA 5yr). Upgraded legal_malpractice, premises_liability, property_damage from inferred → verified. Wave-12 history: corrected 5 prior fabrications (top-level § 12-541 swap, invented § 25-320 text, § 12-543 mis-classification, nonexistent § 12-542.01, missing § 12-541/12-548/12-551 sub_rules).

A cause of action accrues when the breach occurs, regardless of the aggrieved party's lack of knowledge of the breach. A breach of warranty occurs when tender of delivery is made, except that where a warranty explicitly extends to future performance of the goods and discovery of the breach must await the time of such performance the cause of action accrues when the breach is or should have been discovered.

There shall be commenced and prosecuted within three years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions: 1. For debt where the indebtedness is not evidenced by a contract in writing. 2. Upon stated or open accounts other than such mutual and current accounts as concern the trade of merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors or agents, but no item of a stated or open account shall be barred so long as any item thereof has been incurred within three years immediately prior to the bringing of an action thereon. 3. For relief on the ground of fraud or mistake, which cause of action shall not be deemed to have accrued until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the fraud or mistake.

An action for debt shall be commenced and prosecuted within six years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, if the indebtedness is evidenced by or founded on either of the following: 1. A contract in writing that is executed in this state. 2. A credit card as defined in section 13-2101, paragraph 3, subdivision (a). B. If there is a conflict between another jurisdiction and this state relating to the statute of limitations for a debt action as described in subsection A of this section, this section applies.

Notwithstanding sections 12-505, 12-511 and 12-542, an action for the recovery of damages that is based on either of the following shall be commenced within twelve years after the plaintiff reaches eighteen years of age and not afterward: 1. An injury that a minor suffers as a result of another person's negligent or intentional act if that act is a cause of sexual conduct or sexual contact committed against the minor. 2. The failure to report pursuant to section 13-3620 sexual conduct or sexual contact committed against a minor.

B. Except as otherwise provided in this section and sections 28-672, 28-1381 and 28-1382, prosecutions for other offenses must be commenced within the following periods after actual discovery by the state or the political subdivision having jurisdiction of the offense or discovery by the state or the political subdivision that should have occurred with the exercise of reasonable diligence, whichever first occurs:

1. For a class 2 through a class 6 felony, seven years.

2. For a misdemeanor, one year.

3. For a petty offense, six months.

Notwithstanding any other statute, an action or arbitration based in contract may not be instituted or maintained against a person who develops or develops and sells real property, or performs or furnishes the design, specifications, surveying, planning, supervision, testing, construction or observation of construction of an improvement to real property more than eight years after substantial completion of the improvement to real property. The limitations in subsections A, B and E of this section include any action based on implied warranty arising out of the contract or the construction, including implied warranties of habitability, fitness or workmanship. In this section an action based in contract is an action based on a written real estate contract, sales agreement, construction agreement, conveyance or written agreement for construction or for the services set forth in subsection A of this section.

Except as provided in section 12-551 there shall be commenced and prosecuted within two years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions: 1. For injuries done to the person of another including causes of action for medical malpractice as defined in section 12-561. 2. For injuries done to the person of another when death ensues from such injuries, which action shall be considered as accruing at the death of the party injured. 3. For trespass for injury done to the estate or the property of another. 4. For taking or carrying away the goods and chattels of another. 5. For detaining the personal property of another and for converting such property to one's own use. 6. For forcible entry or forcible detainer, which action shall be considered as accruing at the commencement of the forcible entry or detainer.

Any action commenced on or after May 14, 1947, to enforce any cause of action for unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime compensation, or liquidated damages, under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended [ 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq. ], the Walsh-Healey Act, or the Bacon-Davis Act 1 - (a) if the cause of action accrues on or after May 14, 1947-may be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, and every such action shall be forever barred unless commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, except that a cause of action arising out of a willful violation may be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrued;

3. For relief on the ground of fraud or mistake, which cause of action shall not be deemed to have accrued until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the fraud or mistake.

There shall be commenced and prosecuted within one year after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions: 1. For malicious prosecution, or for false imprisonment, or for injuries done to the character or reputation of another by libel or slander.

A product liability action as defined in section 12-681 shall be commenced and prosecuted within the period prescribed in section 12-542, except that no product liability action may be commenced and prosecuted if the cause of action accrues more than twelve years after the product was first sold for use or consumption, unless the cause of action is based upon the negligence of the manufacturer or seller or a breach of an express warranty provided by the manufacturer or seller.

An action for breach of any contract for sale must be commenced within four years after the cause of action has accrued. By the original agreement the parties may reduce the period of limitation to not less than one year but may not extend it. B. A cause of action accrues when the breach occurs, regardless of the aggrieved party's lack of knowledge of the breach. A breach of warranty occurs when tender of delivery is made, except that where a warranty explicitly extends to future performance of the goods and discovery of the breach must await the time of such performance the cause of action accrues when the breach is or should have been discovered.

Except as provided in section 12-551 there shall be commenced and prosecuted within two years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions: 1. For injuries done to the person of another including causes of action for medical malpractice as defined in section 12-561. 2. For injuries done to the person of another when death ensues from such injuries, which action shall be considered as accruing at the death of the party injured.

For relief on the ground of fraud or mistake, which cause of action shall not be deemed to have accrued until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the fraud or mistake. (A.R.S. § 12-543(3)). General discovery rule extended by case law: Gust, Rosenfeld & Henderson v. Prudential Ins. Co., 182 Ariz. 586 (1995).

Under A.R.S. § 13-107(B)(1), prosecution for a class 2 felony in Arizona must be commenced within seven years after actual discovery of the offense by the state or the political subdivision having jurisdiction, or after discovery that should have occurred with the exercise of reasonable diligence, whichever first occurs, except as otherwise provided in section 13-107 (including the no-time-limit categories in subsection A) and in A.R.S. §§ 28-672, 28-1381, and 28-1382.

Under A.R.S. § 12-542(1), an action 'for injuries done to the person of another including causes of action for medical malpractice as defined in section 12-561' must be commenced and prosecuted within two years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward. This is the controlling SOL for general personal-injury and negligence actions in Arizona. The statute by its own terms also encompasses medical malpractice under § 12-561.

Under A.R.S. § 12-552(A), no action or arbitration based in contract may be instituted against a developer, designer, surveyor, planner, supervisor, tester, or constructor of an improvement to real property more than 8 years after substantial completion. Subsection (E) extends to 9 years if injury/latent defect is discovered in year 8.

Under 29 U.S.C. § 255(a), an action enforcing an FLSA cause of action for unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime compensation, or liquidated damages generally must be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued; a cause of action arising out of a willful violation may be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrued.

An Arizona legal malpractice claim is a professional negligence tort subject to the two-year statute of limitations under A.R.S. § 12-542(1) ('injuries done to the person of another'). The period runs from the date the plaintiff knew or should have known of the attorney's negligence (discovery rule). Arizona has no separate claim-type-specific limitations statute for legal malpractice; the general personal-injury two-year period controls.

Statute of limitations for personal injury in US-AZ is 2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(1).

Statute of limitations for wrongful death in US-AZ is 2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(2).

Statute of limitations for medical malpractice in US-AZ is 2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(1).

Statute of limitations for legal malpractice in US-AZ is 2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(1).

Statute of limitations for premises liability in US-AZ is 2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(1).

Statute of limitations for breach written contract in US-AZ is 6 years under A.R.S. § 12-548(A).

Statute of limitations for breach oral contract in US-AZ is 3 years under A.R.S. § 12-543(1).

Statute of limitations for ucc sale of goods in US-AZ is 4 years under A.R.S. § 47-2725.

Statute of limitations for fraud in US-AZ is 3 years under A.R.S. § 12-543(3).

Statute of limitations for libel in US-AZ is 1 years under A.R.S. § 12-541(1).

Statute of limitations for slander in US-AZ is 1 years under A.R.S. § 12-541(1).

Statute of limitations for property damage in US-AZ is 2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(3).

Statute of limitations for trespass in US-AZ is 2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(3).

Statute of limitations for construction defects in US-AZ is 8 years under A.R.S. § 12-552.

Statute of limitations for class b 2nd degree felony in US-AZ is 7 years under A.R.S. § 13-107(B)(1).

Statute of limitations for flsa claims federal wage hour in US-AZ is 2 years under 29 U.S.C. § 255(a).

Statute of limitations for product liability in US-AZ is 2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542.

Statute of limitations for trespass to real property in Arizona is 2 years under A.R.S. § 12-542(3).

Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-514 sets a 12-year statute of limitations for civil actions arising from childhood sexual abuse, measured from when the plaintiff reaches eighteen years of age. Notwithstanding the general limitations periods in §§ 12-505, 12-511, and 12-542, an action must be commenced within twelve years after the plaintiff reaches eighteen years of age. This covers both direct injury to a minor from sexual conduct or contact, and failure to report such abuse under § 13-3620.

Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542 imposes a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury tort claims, including domestic violence civil claims, requiring suit to be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrues.

Arizona libel/written defamation claims must be brought within one year of accrual under A.R.S. § 12-541(1).

Arizona actions for injuries to character or reputation by libel or slander must be commenced within one year after the cause of action accrues under A.R.S. § 12-541(1).

An action on an oral (unwritten) contract in Arizona must be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues under A.R.S. § 12-543(1).

There shall be commenced and prosecuted within one year after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions: 1. For malicious prosecution, or for false imprisonment, or for injuries done to the character or reputation of another by libel or slander. 2. For seduction or breach of promise of marriage. 3. Upon a liability created by statute, other than a penalty or forfeiture. 4. Against an officer, for nonfeasance, misfeasance or malfeasance in office. 5. For breach of an oral or written employment contract including contract actions based on employee handbooks or policy manuals that do not specify a time period in which to bring an action. 6. Based on the wrongful termination of an employee.

A. An action for debt shall be commenced and prosecuted within six years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, if the indebtedness is evidenced by or founded on either of the following: 1. A contract in writing that is executed in this state. 2. A credit card as defined in section 13-2101, paragraph 3, subdivision (a). B. If there is a conflict between another jurisdiction and this state relating to the statute of limitations for a debt action as described in subsection A of this section, this section applies.

Except as provided in section 12-551 there shall be commenced and prosecuted within two years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions: 1. For injuries done to the person of another including causes of action for medical malpractice as defined in section 12-561.

When a person against whom there is a cause of action is without the state at the time the cause of action accrues or at any time during which the action might have been maintained, such action may be brought against the person after his return to the state. The time of such person's absence shall not be counted or taken as a part of the time limited by the provisions of this chapter.

We long ago held that a patient and a doctor were in a fiduciary relationship “calling for frank and truthful information from” doctor to patient. Acton, 62 Ariz. at 143, 155 P.2d at 784. “Fraud practiced to conceal a cause of action will prevent the running of the statute of limitations until its discovery.” Id. at 144, 155 P.2d at 784.

If a person entitled to bring an action other than those set forth in article 2 of this chapter is at the time the cause of action accrues either under eighteen years of age or of unsound mind, the period of such disability shall not be deemed a portion of the period limited for commencement of the action. Such person shall have the same time after removal of the disability which is allowed to others.

Statute of Limitations for Libel (written defamation) in Arizona

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How the limitation period applies

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