Governments > Legislation > Statutes of Limitations > Extension & Revival

[HN27] It is undisputed that R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-29 is a statute of repose.

[HN28] See R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-29.

[HN29] The purpose of the statute of repose in R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-29 is well-settled. In enacting R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-29, the Rhode Island General Assembly required that individuals seeking recovery in tort against constructors of improvements to real property bring an action within ten years of the substantial completion of the improvement. The legislature enacted this statute of repose in reaction to the extinction of the doctrine of privity. With the abrogation of this doctrine, architects, engineers, and others ceased to enjoy immunity from liability to third parties. Therefore, the General Assembly attempted to shield architects, professional engineers, contractors, subcontractors, and materialmen and to provide them with a reasonable limitation on their greatly expanded potential liability.