## How the limitation period applies

The controlling primary authority for New Jersey statute of limitations for libel and slander (defamation) — N.J.S.A. 2A:14-3 is **N.J.S.A. 2A:14-3**.

> **N.J.S.A. 2A:14-3.** Every action at law for libel or slander shall be commenced within 1 year next after the publication of the alleged libel or slander.

## Use the calculator

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.

[Open the Statute of Limitations calculator](/tools/statute-of-limitations)

## Sources

- [N.J.S.A. 2A:14-3 — 2A:14-3. 1 year; libel or slander](https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/112/313?f=templates$fn=document-frameset.htm$q=%5Brank,100%3A%5Bdomain%3A%5Borderedprox,0%3A2A%3A14-3%5D%5D%20%5Bsum%3A%5Borderedprox,0%3A2A%3A14-3%5D%5D%20%5D%20$x=server$3.0)

All sources are official primary law published by `lis.njleg.state.nj.us` (state legislature, .gov).

**Corroboration method:** two independent fetches of the same URL on lis.njleg.state.nj.us within the same session returned byte-identical statutory text for N.J.S.A. 2A:14-3 (initial load at 2026-05-11T07:43:52Z, frame reload at 2026-05-11T07:44:02Z).


Statute of Limitations for Slander (spoken defamation) in New Jersey.

Statute of Limitations for Slander (spoken defamation) in New Jersey

A claim relating to a cause of action for death or for injury or damage to person or to property shall be presented as provided in this chapter not later than the ninetieth day after accrual of the cause of action.

Every action at law... for recovery upon a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal... shall be commenced within 6 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

Every action at law... for any tortious injury to the rights of another not stated in sections 2A:14-2 and 2A:14-3... shall be commenced within 6 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

Every action at law for libel or slander shall be commenced within 1 year next after the publication of the alleged libel or slander.

Every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this State shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued; except that an action by or on behalf of a minor that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth shall be commenced prior to the minor's 13th birthday.

Every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this State shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

Every action at law for trespass to real property, for any tortious injury to real or personal property... shall be commenced within 6 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

Every action at law for trespass to real property... shall be commenced within 6 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

An action for breach of any contract for sale must be commenced within four years after the cause of action has accrued.

Every action brought under this chapter shall be commenced within 2 years after the death of the decedent, and not thereafter.

2A:14-1. a. Every action at law for trespass to real property, for any tortious injury to real or personal property, for taking, detaining, or converting personal property, for replevin of goods or chattels, for any tortious injury to the rights of another not stated in N.J.S.2A:14-2 and N.J.S.2A:14-3, or for recovery upon a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal, or upon an account other than one which concerns the trade or merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors, agents and servants, shall be commenced within six years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

Every action at law for an injury resulting from the commission of sexual assault, any other crime of a sexual nature, a prohibited sexual act as defined in section 2 of P.L.1992, c.7 (C.2A:30B-2), or sexual abuse as defined in section 1 of P.L.1992, c.109 (C.2A:61B-1) against a minor under the age of 18 that occurred prior to, on or after the effective date of P.L.2019, c.120 (C.2A:14-2a et al.) shall be commenced within 37 years after the minor reaches the age of majority, or within seven years from the date of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act, whichever date is later.

Every action at law for trespass to real property, for any tortious injury to real or personal property, for taking, detaining, or converting personal property, for replevin of goods or chattels, for any tortious injury to the rights of another not stated in N.J.S.2A:14-2 and N.J.S.2A:14-3, or for recovery upon a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal, or upon an account other than one which concerns the trade or merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors, agents and servants, shall be commenced within six years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

Every action at law for trespass to real property, for any tortious injury to real or personal property, for taking, detaining, or converting personal property, for replevin of goods or chattels, for any tortious injury to the rights of another not stated in sections 2A:14-2 and 2A:14-3 of this Title... shall be commenced within 6 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

A claim relating to a cause of action for death or for injury or damage to person or to property shall be presented as provided in this chapter not later than the ninetieth day after accrual of the cause of action. After the expiration of six months from the date notice of claim is received, the claimant may file suit in an appropriate court of law.

A claim relating to a cause of action for death or for injury or damage to person or to property shall be presented as provided in this chapter not later than the 90th day after accrual of the cause of action. After the expiration of six months from the date notice of claim is received, the claimant may file suit in an appropriate court of law. The claimant shall be forever barred from recovering against a public entity or public employee if: a. The claimant failed to file the claim with the public entity within 90 days of accrual of the claim except as otherwise provided in N.J.S.59:8-9; or b. Two years have elapsed since the accrual of the claim;

2A:14-2. a. Except as otherwise provided by law, every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this State shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued; except that an action by or on behalf of a minor that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth shall be commenced prior to the minor's 13th birthday.

b. In the event that an action by or on behalf of a minor that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth is not commenced by the minor's parent or guardian prior to the minor's 12th birthday, the minor or a person 18 years of age or older designated by the minor to act on the minor's behalf may commence such an action. For this purpose, the minor or designated person may petition the court for the appointment of a guardian ad litem to act on the minor's behalf.

amended 2004, c.17, s.3; 2019, c.120, s.1.

Every action at law for trespass to real property, for any tortious injury to real or personal property, for taking, detaining, or converting personal property... shall be commenced within 6 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

2A : 14-22 . a. If (1) any person against whom there is any of the causes of action specified in sections 2A :14-1 to 2A :14-5 and 2A :14-8, or if any surety against whom there is a cause of action specified in any of the sections of article 2 of this chapter, is not a resident of this State when such cause of action accrues, or removes from this State after the accrual thereof and before the expiration of the times limited in said sections, or if any corporation or corporate surety not organized under the laws of this State, against whom there is such a cause of action, is not represented in this State by any person or officer upon whom summons or other original process may be served, when such cause of action accrues or at any time before the expiration of the times so limited, and (2) it appears by affidavit of plaintiff's attorney or of any person having knowledge of the facts that, after diligent inquiry and effort, long-arm service cannot be effectuated, the time or times during which such person or surety is not residing within this State or such corporation or corporate surety is not so represented within this State shall not be computed as part of the periods of time within which such an action is required to be commenced by the section. The person entitled to any such action may commence the same after the accrual of the cause therefor, within the period of time limited therefor by said section, exclusive of such time or times of nonresidence or nonrepresentation. b. A corporation shall be deemed represented for purposes of this section if the corporation has filed with the Secretary of State a notice designating a representative to accept service of process. c. A person shall be deemed a resident for purposes of this section if such person has filed with the Secretary of State a notice designating a representative to accept service of process. d. A designation by a corporation pursuant to subsection b. of this section or by a person pursuant to subsection c. of this section shall expose such corporation or person to suit only as to those causes of action as to which such corporation or person has sufficient contacts with this State to satisfy the requirements of due process of law. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344; amended 1984,c.131; 1991,c.387,s.1.

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.

Every action at law for trespass to real property, for any tortious injury to real or personal property, for taking, detaining, or converting personal property, for replevin of goods or chattels, for any tortious injury to the rights of another not stated in sections 2A:14-2 and 2A:14-3 of this Title, or for recovery upon a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal, or upon an account other than one which concerns the trade or merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors, agents and servants, shall be commenced within 6 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued.

Per N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a), a New Jersey civil action at law for personal injury caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of any person within the State must be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrues, subject to the medical-malpractice-at-birth exception (action by/on behalf of a minor must be commenced before the minor's 13th birthday).

Per N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1(a), a New Jersey civil action for recovery upon a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal, must be commenced within six years after the cause of action accrues. Two exclusions narrow the scope: (i) per subsection (b), contracts for the sale of goods governed by N.J.S.12A:2-725 (UCC Article 2) are subject to that statute's separate four-year limitations period rather than the six-year period; and (ii) accounts that concern trade or merchandise betwe

In New Jersey, a civil action for libel or slander (defamation) must be commenced within one year after the publication of the alleged libel or slander, per the verbatim text of N.J.S.A. 2A:14-3.

Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2a (P.L.2019, c.120, eff. 2019-12-01), every civil action for injury from childhood sexual assault must be commenced within 37 years after the minor reaches the age of majority (i.e., until age 55), OR within 7 years from the date of reasonable discovery, whichever is later. The 2-year revival window under 2A:14-2b (eff. 2019-12-01 through 2021-11-30) is now closed.

Under N.J. Stat. § 2A:14-2(a), every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of any person within New Jersey must be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, subject to the express minor-medical-malpractice-birth-injury exception in (a) and procedural provisions in (b), and to other statutory exceptions invoked by the 'Except as otherwise provided by law' opening clause.

Statute of limitations for breach written contract in US-NJ is 6 years under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1.

Statute of limitations for libel slander in US-NJ is 1 years under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-3.

Statute of limitations for personal injury in US-NJ is 2 years under N.J. Stat. § 2A:14-2.

Credit-card and open-account debt rests on a contractual obligation governed by N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1, which sets a 6 years limitations period for contract actions.

A promissory note is a written contractual obligation, so an action to collect promissory-note debt is governed by N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1, which sets a 6 years limitations period for contract actions.

An action for trespass to real property in New Jersey must be commenced within 6 years after the cause of action accrues.

Tortious interference with business relations in New Jersey is a tortious injury to the rights of another and must be brought within 6 years under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1.

Common-law fraud and deceit in New Jersey is a tortious injury to the rights of another and must be brought within 6 years under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1.

New Jersey actions for breach of any contract for sale of goods must be commenced within 4 years after the cause of action has accrued under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 12A:2-725.

Under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, a claim against a public entity must be presented not later than the 90th day after accrual of the cause of action under N.J.S.A. § 59:8-8.

Statute of limitations is 4 years under N.J.S.A. § 12A:2-725.

If any person entitled to any of the actions or proceedings specified in sections 2A:14-1 to 2A:14-8 or sections 2A:14-16 to 2A:14-20 of this Title or to a right or title of entry under section 2A:14-6 of this Title is or shall be, at the time of any such cause of action or right or title accruing, under the age of 21 years, or insane, such person may commence such action or make such entry, within such time as limited by said sections, after his coming to or being of full age or of sane mind.

If any person against whom there is or shall be any such cause of action specified in sections 2A:14-1 to 2A:14-5 and 2A:14-8, is not a resident of this State when such cause of action accrues, or removes from this State after the accrual thereof and before the expiration of the times in those sections limited, or if any corporation or corporate surety not organized under the laws of this State, against whom there is or shall be such a cause of action, is not represented in this State by any person or officer upon whom summons or other original process may be served, when such cause of action accrues or at any time before the expiration of the times so limited, the time or times during which such person or corporation or corporate surety is not residing within this State or is not so represented therein shall not be computed as part of the periods of time within which such an action is required to be commenced by the section.

No action, whether in contract, in tort, or otherwise, to recover damages for any deficiency in the design, planning, surveying, supervision or construction of an improvement to real property, or for any injury to property, real or personal, or for an injury to the person, or for bodily injury or wrongful death, arising out of the defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property, nor any action for contribution or indemnity for damages sustained on account of such injury, shall be brought against any person performing or furnishing the design, planning, surveying, supervision of construction or construction of such improvement to real property, more than 10 years after the performance or furnishing of such services and construction.

Every action brought under this chapter shall be commenced within 2 years after the death of the decedent, and not thereafter, provided, however, that in the case of the death of an insured person, the 2 year period shall not begin to run until either (1) the insured's personal representative has received from his insurer the policy proceeds for bodily injury sustained by the insured prior to his death or (2) the insured has died from the personal injury for which the insured was entitled to receive the policy proceeds but not yet received, whichever is earlier.

In any action for damages for personal injuries, wrongful death or property damage resulting from an alleged act of malpractice or negligence by a licensed person in his profession or occupation, the plaintiff shall, within 60 days following the date of filing of the answer to the complaint by the defendant, provide each defendant with an affidavit of an appropriate licensed person that there exists a reasonable probability that the care, skill or knowledge exercised or exhibited in the treatment, practice or work that is the subject of the complaint, fell outside acceptable professional or occupational standards or treatment practices.

In any civil action for an injury or illness based on sexual abuse, the cause of action shall accrue at the time of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act of sexual abuse. Any such action shall be brought within two years after reasonable discovery. (As amended by P.L.2019, c.120 (effective Dec. 1, 2019), expanding revival window for previously time-barred claims.)