What does the statute of limitations specify?

The statute of limitations is a legal concept that establishes a specific time frame within which a party must initiate legal action after a claim arises. Once this period expires, the party typically loses the right to pursue the claim in court, which serves to encourage timely resolution of disputes and ensures that evidence and witness recollections remain fresh.

Understanding the statute of limitations is crucial for lawyers and individuals engaging in legal matters, as it helps them to avoid missing deadlines that could bar their case from being heard. In contrast, the other options focus on different procedural aspects of the legal system which do not pertain directly to the timing of filing claims. For example, the process for filing an appeal and the procedure for making amendments involve specific procedures governed by different rules and timelines, while the duration for jury selection relates to trial proceedings rather than the timeframe for initiating legal actions.