Breach of a written contract: 4 years (CCP § 337); Breach of an oral contract: 2 years (CCP § 339). For a written contract, you generally must file your lawsuit within 4 years of when the agreement is broken.Lawsuits Against Public Entities (Like Cities or Counties) – Must file a claim within 6 months. The answer is that a typical statute of limitations probably does not apply to an arbitration. I say "probably" because there is a split of authority. Generally, the FAA applies to written agreements to arbitrate disputes arising out of transactions involving interstate commerce. File Complaint and initiate Lawsuit – Serve Filed Complaint on Defendant – the civil law time limit is sixty (60) days after filing. Starting January 1, 2020, California employees will have three times as long to file charges alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation. A: The statute of limitations to bring a contract claim is the same as in New York, namely, four years. Stayin' Alive: California Supreme Court Holds that PAGA Representative Claims Can Remain in State Court During Arbitration of Individual Claims.