After section 4A of the Limitation Act 1980 insert—
In section 1(5) of the Defective Premises Act 1972, for "the Limitation Act 1939, the Law Reform (Limitation of Actions, &c.) Act 1954 and the Limitation Act 1963" substitute ."the Limitation Act 1980"
The amendment made by subsection (1) in relation to an action by virtue of section 1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972 is to be treated as always having been in force.
In a case where—
section 4B of the Limitation Act 1980 (inserted by subsection (1)) has effect as if it provided that the action may not be brought after the end of the initial period.
Where an action is brought that, but for subsection (3), would have been barred by the Limitation Act 1980, a court hearing the action must dismiss it in relation to any defendant if satisfied that it is necessary to do so to avoid a breach of that defendant's Convention rights.
Nothing in this section applies in relation to a claim which, before this section came into force, was settled by agreement between the parties or finally determined by a court or arbitration (whether on the basis of limitation or otherwise).
In this section—
"Convention rights" has the same meaning as in the Human Rights Act 1998;
"the initial period" means the period of one year beginning with the day on which this section comes into force.