Limitation Act 1963 Section 20: Effect of Acknowledgment or Payment by Another Person
Text of the Limitation Act 1963 Section 20
Effect of acknowledgment or payment by another person.—(1) The expression “agent duly authorised in this behalf” in sections 18 and 19 shall, in the case of a person under disability, include his lawful guardian, committee or manager or an agent duly authorised by such guardian, committee or manager to sign the acknowledgment or make the payment.
(2) Nothing in the said sections renders one of several joint contractors, partners, executors or mortgagees chargeable by reason only of a written acknowledgment signed by, or of a payment made by, or by the agent of, any other or others of them.
(3) For the purposes of the said sections,—
(a) an acknowledgment signed or a payment made in respect of any liability by, or by the duly authorised agent of, any limited owner of property who is governed by Hindu law, shall be a valid acknowledgment or payment, as the case may be, against a reversioner succeeding to such liability; and
(b) where a liability has been incurred by or on behalf of a Hindu undivided family as such, an acknowledgment or payment made by, or by the duly authorised agent of, the manager of the family for the time being shall be deemed to have been made on behalf of the whole family.”
Explanation Limitation Act 1963 Section 20
Section 20 of the Limitation Act 1963 makes it clear who else can reset the limitation period through acknowledgment or payment, building on Sections 18 and 19.
Simply put, if someone can’t act for themselves (like a minor or someone disabled), their guardian or manager—or an agent approved by them—can sign an acknowledgment or make a payment to restart the legal clock. However, if you’re one of several people sharing a debt (like partners or co-owners), one person’s acknowledgment or payment doesn’t automatically bind the others.
There are special rules too: under Hindu law, a limited owner (like a widow) or their agent can acknowledge or pay, and it counts against the next owner (reversioner). Also, in a Hindu joint family, the family manager’s acknowledgment or payment counts for everyone. This section ensures fairness by defining who can extend legal deadlines.
Key Points Limitation Act 1963 Section 20
- For disabled persons, guardians or their agents can acknowledge/pay under Sections 18 and 19.
- Joint contractors/partners aren’t liable for another’s acknowledgment or payment.
- Hindu limited owner’s acknowledgment/payment binds the reversioner.
- Hindu joint family manager’s acknowledgment/payment applies to the whole family.
- Must be duly authorized for actions to reset limitation.
Examples Limitation Act 1963 Section 20
- Minor’s guardian pays debt in 2023 (3-year limit ends 2025)—new limit starts 2023, ends 2026.
- Partner acknowledges debt in 2024—others not bound, limit resets only for them.
- Widow (limited owner) pays interest in 2025—12-year limit restarts 2025, ends 2037 for reversioner.
- Joint family manager acknowledges debt in 2023—3-year limit resets for all, ends 2026.
- Unauthorized agent pays in 2024—no reset unless duly authorized.
Case Laws Limitation Act 1963 Section 20
Valliama Champaka Pillai v. Sivathanu Pillai (1979): Supreme Court held acknowledgment by a Hindu limited owner binds reversioners (AIR 1979 SC 1937).
Gurcharan Singh v. State of Punjab (1972): Payment by one joint debtor doesn’t extend limitation for others unless authorized (AIR 1972 SC 195).
Limitation Act 1963 Section 19: Effect of Payment on Account of Debt or of Interest on Legacy
Limitation Act 1963 Section 18: Effect of Acknowledgment in Writing