(1)No action against a carrier’s servant or agent which arises out of damage to which [F1any of the Carriage by Air Conventions applies]shall, if he was acting within the scope of his employment, be brought after more than two years, reckoned from the date of arrival at the destination or from the date on which the aircraft ought to have arrived, or from the date on which the carriage stopped.
(2)[F2The provisions mentioned in subsection (4)] not be read as applying to any proceedings for contribution between, [F3persons liable for any damage to which [F4any of the Carriage by Air Conventions]relates][F5but no action shall be brought by a tortfeasor to obtain a contribution from a carrier in respect of a tort to which the said Article 29 applies after the expiration of two years from the time when judgment is obtained against the person seeking to obtain the contribution.]
(3)[F6Subsections (1) and (2) and the provisions mentioned in subsection (4)] have effect as if references in those provisions to an action included references to [F7arbitral proceedings]; [F8and the provisions of section 14 of the Arbitration Act 1996 apply to determine when such proceedings are commenced.].
[F9(4)The provisions are—
(a)Article 29 of the Convention;
(b)Article 29 of the Convention as amended; and
(c)Article 35 of the Montreal Convention.
(5)If the Montreal Convention applies, “carrier" in this section includes an actual carrier as defined by Article 39 of that Convention.]
Extent Information
E1This version of this provision extends to England, Wales and Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 5(1) substituted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)) by S.I. 2002/263, art. 2(14) (with art. 1(3))
F2Words in s. 5(2) substituted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)) by virtue of S.I. 2002/263, art. 2(15)(a) (with art. 1(3))
F3Words substituted (E. W. N. I.) by Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 (c. 47, SIF 122:3), s. 9, Sch. 1 para. 5(2) (subject to savings in s. 5 in relation to Her Majesty and the Duchy of Cornwall and in s. 7 in relation to debts due or damage occurring before the commencement of the Act)
F4Words in s. 5(2) substituted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)) by S.I. 2002/263, art. 2(15)(b) (with art. 1(3))
F5Words repealed (E.W.) with saving by Limitation Act 1963 (c. 47), ss. 4(4)(5), 10(5) and repealed and superseded (N.I.) by Limitation Act (Northern Ireland) 1946 (c. 1), s. 4(4)(b)
F6Words in s. 5(3) substituted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)) by S.I. 2002/263, art. 2(16) (with art. 1(3))
F7Words in s. 5(3) substituted (31.1.1997) by 1996 c. 23, s. 107(1), Sch. 3 para. 13(2)(a); S.I. 1996/3146, art. 3
F8Words in s. 5(3) substituted (31.1.1997) by 1996 c. 23, s. 107(1), Sch. 3 para. 13(2)(b); S.I. 1996/3146, art. 3
F9S. 5(4)(5) inserted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)) by S.I. 2002/263, art. 2(17) (with art. 1(3))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 5 amended by Carriage by Air (Supplementary Provisions) Act 1962 (c. 43, SIF 9), s. 3(2)