Legal Definitions - A.R.

A.R. stands for ANNO REGNI. This Latin phrase translates to "in the year of the reign." It is a traditional method of dating legal documents, statutes, and official acts in jurisdictions that operate under a monarchical system, such as the United Kingdom. Instead of using a standard calendar year, documents are dated by counting the years from the monarch's accession to the throne. For instance, the first year of a monarch's reign is "1 A.R.," the second year is "2 A.R.," and so on. This system provides a specific historical reference point tied to the period a particular monarch was on the throne.

Here are some examples of how ANNO REGNI might be used:

• Dating a Historical Statute: Imagine a British law passed in the year 1703. If Queen Anne ascended to the throne in 1702, this law might be cited as "2 Anne, c. 5" or "2 A.R. c. 5," meaning the fifth chapter (or act) passed in the second year of Queen Anne's reign.

  Explanation: This illustrates how A.R. is used to precisely date legislation by referencing the specific year within a monarch's rule, rather than just the Gregorian calendar year. It helps historians and legal scholars pinpoint the exact period of enactment relative to the monarch's time on the throne.

• A Royal Proclamation: A royal proclamation issued by King George V in 1915, who began his reign in 1910, might be officially dated as "6 Geo. V" or "6 A.R." in formal documents.

  Explanation: Here, A.R. indicates that the proclamation was issued during the sixth year of King George V's time as monarch. This method of dating was common for official pronouncements and decrees, linking them directly to the sovereign's ongoing reign.

• Official Court Records: Consider a historical court judgment from the early 19th century in England. If King George III began his reign in 1760, a judgment rendered in 1800 might be recorded as occurring in "40 Geo. III" or "40 A.R." within the court's official records.

  Explanation: This demonstrates the use of A.R. in official records like court judgments. It provides a chronological marker that ties the legal event to a specific point in the monarch's reign, which can be crucial for historical legal research and understanding the context of the ruling.