What is the term for pausing the statute of limitations?

• A. Acceleration
• B. Remand
• C. Tolling
• D. Dismissal

Answer: (C)

Tolling is the act of pausing the clock on the statute of limitations. It stops the running time for prosecution during a period when legal action can’t reasonably proceed, such as when the defendant is unavailable, the case is under active investigation, or the defendant lacks capacity. When the triggering situation ends, the clock resumes from where it left off (and in some rules the tolled time may extend the total period). This differs from acceleration, which speeds up the deadline; remand, which means sending a case back to a lower court; and dismissal, which ends the case. Tolling is used to ensure fairness by allowing action to proceed when external circumstances prevent timely prosecution.