Statute of limitations - national proceedings

Saint Lucia

Criminal Code

CHAPTER THREE
Procedure

PART IV
SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS

Sub-Part A - Trial of Summary Offences

Appearance of Defendant

Period of limitation
671. — (1) Where no time is prescribed for making a complaint with respect to any summary offence by the enactment relating to such offence, the complaint —
(a) shall be made within six months from the time when the matter of the complaint arose; or
(b) if it arose upon the High Seas shall be made within the six months after the arrival of the ship or vessel in this State; or
(c) in the case of a continuous contravention, shall be made within six months, from the last date of such contravention and if it shall be competent in such case in any prosecution to include the entire period during which the contravention has occurred.

(2) For the removal of doubt and not withstanding any other provisions to the contrary there shall be no period of limitation in relation to any of the following offences —
(a) rape or any other sexual offence;
(b) any sexual offence involving a minor;
(c) murder.

Rome Statute

Article 29 Non-applicability of statute of limitations

The crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court shall not be subject to any statute of limitations.