Legal Definitions - major annus

major annus

The Latin term major annus refers to a leap year, which is a calendar year consisting of 366 days, rather than the standard 365 days of a common year.

The extra day, February 29th, is added to the calendar approximately every four years. This adjustment is necessary to keep our Gregorian calendar synchronized with the Earth's actual orbit around the sun, ensuring that seasons and astronomical events remain consistent over time.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of a major annus:

• Contractual Obligations for Daily Services: Consider a contract for a daily cleaning service that is set to run for a full calendar year, from January 1st, 2024, to December 31st, 2024. Since 2024 is a major annus, the service provider would be obligated to provide 366 days of service, not 365. This extra day directly impacts the total service duration and, consequently, the overall cost if the contract specifies a daily rate for the service.

• Calculation of Statutory Periods: A municipal regulation might require a business to maintain a specific license for "one full calendar year" before being eligible for an expansion permit. If the license period begins in a major annus, such as 2028, the business would need to ensure the license is valid for 366 days to comply with the "full calendar year" requirement, rather than just 365 days. Failing to account for the additional day could lead to non-compliance and potential delays in obtaining the permit.

• Financial Planning and Payroll: For organizations that calculate daily operational expenses or pay certain employees on a daily rate, a major annus introduces an additional day of costs. For example, a manufacturing plant that pays its hourly production staff for every day they work would incur an extra day's worth of wages in a leap year compared to a common year. This subtle difference can affect annual payroll budgets and financial projections.