‘Sed Fugit Interea Fugit Irreparabile Tempus’ – Time Limits Under English Law: The Requirement of 'Promptness' and the Scrutiny of the Court of Justice of the European Union

Abstract

National time limits for challenging the administrative actions have been often reviewed by the Court of Justice of the European Union for their compliance with the principles of equivalence and effectiveness. In the recent Uniplex ruling, the Court reviewed the requirement, provided by English law, that claims arising in the framework of public contracts be brought ‘promptly’. After a short introduction to the facts at stake in Uniplex, the requirement of ‘promptness’ and the criticisms which arose in this respect are analysed. Thereafter, the Court’s ruling in Uniplex is discussed.

Keywords: time limits, judicial review

JEL Classification: K33