(a) a limitation period
of two years running from the date on which the cause of action for
contribution first accrues to the plaintiff or to a person through whom the
plaintiff claims, and
(2) For the purposes
of paragraph (a) of subsection (1), the date on which a cause of action for
contribution first accrues is--
(a) if the plaintiff in the action for
contribution or a person through whom the plaintiff claims is liable in
respect of the damage for which contribution is claimed by judgment in a civil
action or by arbitral award--the date on which the judgment is given or the
award is made, whether or not, in the case of a judgment, the judgment is
afterwards varied as to quantum of damages, or
(b) if, in a case to which
paragraph (a) does not apply, the plaintiff in the action for contribution or
a person through whom the plaintiff claims makes an agreement with a person
having a cause of action for the damage for which the cause of action for
contribution arises, which agreement fixes, as between the parties to the
agreement, the amount of the liability in respect of that damage of the
plaintiff in the action for contribution or a person through whom the
plaintiff claims--the date on which the agreement is made.
(3) In paragraph
(b) of subsection (1), the expression
"the limitation period for the principal cause of action" means the limitation
period fixed by or under this Act or by or under any other enactment
(including an enactment repealed or omitted by this Act) for the cause of
action for the liability in respect of which contribution is sought.