Legal Definitions - A.D.

A.D. stands for ANNO DOMINI, a Latin phrase meaning 'in the year of the Lord.' It is a system used to number years in the Gregorian calendar, counting forward from the traditionally estimated birth year of Jesus Christ. This dating convention is widely used to specify years in historical, legal, and everyday contexts. It is often used interchangeably with 'CE' (Common Era).

• Example 1: Historical Legal Document
  A historian discovered an ancient manuscript detailing property rights in a Roman province, which was clearly dated A.D. 300. This indicated that the document was created three centuries after the traditional start of the Christian era, providing a precise historical context for the legal practices described.

• Example 2: Enactment of Modern Legislation
  The legislature passed a new environmental protection act in 2024 A.D., establishing new regulations that would take effect from that year forward. This dating clearly marks the year of the law's creation within the current calendar system.

• Example 3: Contractual Agreement Date
  A business contract for a long-term partnership specified that the agreement would commence on January 1, A.D. 2025. This precise dating ensures all parties understand the exact year the contractual obligations begin, preventing ambiguity about the timeline of the partnership.