Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963 provides for:

Section 5 allows a court to admit an appeal or an application, after the prescribed period has expired, if the appellant or applicant satisfies it that he had sufficient cause for not presenting the application or appeal within time. Crucially, Section 5 does not apply to a suit or to the period for filing a suit. The existence of 'sufficient cause' is judged reasonably and liberally, though not mechanically. Exclusion of time on account of a bona fide wrong forum is the separate concern of Section 14, and acknowledgment of liability is governed by Section 18.