Andrew Freckleton

Section 96 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 removed the three-year time limit for bringing child sexual abuse claims in England and Wales, allowing survivors to commence claims beyond their 21st birthday and applying to claims not already settled or dismissed. However, defendants can still argue that a fair hearing is impossible because historic evidence, records or witnesses are unavailable. The reform therefore removes a significant procedural hurdle but does not guarantee that every late claim can proceed.