Law & Life: Quick Reference of Time Limits

Compiled on: May 31, 2026 ---

I. Age Thresholds for Civil Capacity

Age	Type of Capacity
Under 8	No civil capacity
8 ≤ X < 18	Limited civil capacity
18 and above	Full civil capacity
16 ≤ X < 18, self-supporting through own labor income	Deemed to have full civil capacity

---

II. Limitation of Actions

• General limitation period: 3 years
  • Runs from the date the right holder knows or should have known of both the infringement and the identity of the obligor
  • ⚠️ The clock starts only when both conditions are met!
• Maximum protection period: 20 years
  • Runs from the date of infringement (even if the right holder is unaware)
  • After 20 years, courts will not grant protection
• Interruption of limitation (restarts the 3-year clock):
  • The right holder makes a demand for performance to the obligor
  • The obligor agrees to perform the obligation
  • The right holder files a lawsuit or applies for arbitration ⚠️ Exam trap: "Once the limitation period expires, you can't sue" ❌ → You can still sue; the other party simply gains a right to plead the defense, and the court cannot apply the limitation period on its own motion --- ## III. Arbitration Time Limits ### General Commercial Arbitration
• Final and binding — the award takes effect upon issuance and cannot be appealed ### Labor Dispute Arbitration
• Limitation period for arbitration: 1 year (from the date the right holder knows of the infringement)
• If dissatisfied with the arbitration award: file a lawsuit with the court within 15 days of receiving the award
• If arbitration is not accepted: file a lawsuit with the court within 15 days of receiving the notice ⚠️ High-frequency exam point: Commercial arbitration ≠ labor arbitration! Commercial arbitration is final and non-appealable; labor arbitration can be appealed within 15 days --- ## IV. Intellectual Property Protection Periods ### Patent Rights | Type | Protection Period | Commencement | |------|--------|------| | Invention patent | 20 years | Filing date | | Utility model | 10 years | Filing date | | Industrial design | 15 years | Filing date | ### Copyright | Type | Protection Period | |------|--------| | Works by natural persons | Author's lifetime + 50 years after death | | Works by legal persons / unincorporated organizations | 50 years after first publication (or 50 years from completion if never published) | | Right of attribution, right of revision, right to protect the integrity of the work | Protected in perpetuity | | Right of publication | Same 50-year term as economic rights |
• When the protection period expires → the work enters the public domain, and anyone may use it free of charge ### Trademark Rights
• Registration validity: 10 years (from the date of approval)
• Renewal application must be filed within 12 months before expiry
• If not filed, a 6-month grace period is granted
• Each renewal extends protection by 10 years, with no limit on the number of renewals --- ## V. Family and Marriage Time Limits | Matter | Time Limit / Age | |------|----------| | Legal marriage age | Male 22 / Female 20 | | Divorce cooling-off period | 30 days (from the date the marriage registration authority receives the application) | | Before estate disposition | An heir renouncing inheritance must do so before the estate is disposed of, in writing | | Legacy acceptance | A legatee must indicate acceptance or renunciation within 60 days of learning of the legacy | --- ## VI. Labor Contract Time Limits | Matter | Time Limit | |------|-----| | Probation period (contract ≥ 3 years) | No more than 6 months | | Probation period (1 year ≤ contract < 3 years) | No more than 2 months | | Probation period (3 months ≤ contract < 1 year) | No more than 1 month | | Limitation period for labor arbitration | 1 year |

| Appeal against arbitration award | File suit within 15 days of receiving the award |

| Wage arrears disputes | Not subject to the 1-year arbitration limitation (unrestricted while employed) |

---

VII. Summary of Common Exam Traps