What does the term 'limitation period' refer to?

The term 'limitation period' specifically refers to the time within which a legal action must be commenced. This is a crucial concept in civil law, as it establishes a deadline for bringing claims to court. If an action is not initiated within this designated period, the claimant may be barred from pursuing the case, regardless of its merit. Limitation periods vary depending on the type of claim and are set out in legislation to promote legal certainty and prevent the indefinite threat of litigation.

While the other choices mention important legal timeframes, they do not define limitation periods. The duration for which evidence must be retained pertains to evidentiary rules, the period during which a judgment can be appealed relates to appellate procedures, and the timeframe for filing amended pleadings deals with procedural aspects of litigation, but none of them encompass the definition of a limitation period in the context of initiating legal actions.