Legal Definitions - N.S.

N.S. is an abbreviation that can stand for two distinct concepts:

• 1. New Series

  When used in citations, N.S. indicates that a periodical publication, such as a scholarly journal, law review, or magazine, has restarted its volume and issue numbering sequence. This often occurs when a publication undergoes a significant change, like a change in publisher, a major shift in its editorial focus, or a relaunch after a period of inactivity. The "new series" designation helps readers and researchers distinguish between articles published under the old numbering system and those published under the new one.

  • Example 1: A university's Law Review published volumes 1-50, then ceased publication for five years. When it relaunched, it began publishing as The University Law Review (N.S.), starting again with Volume 1, Issue 1. This clearly signals that articles from the new era of the journal should not be confused with the original 50 volumes, even if the title is similar.

    Explanation: The "N.S." here clarifies that the current Volume 1 is part of a distinct, restarted numbering sequence, separate from the original run of the journal.

  • Example 2: A historical society's quarterly journal, Annals of Local History, was published for decades. After its 100th volume, the society decided to modernize its format and expand its scope to cover regional history. They announced that future issues would be published as Annals of Local and Regional History (N.S.), beginning with Volume 1. Researchers looking for articles on purely local history from before the change would know to consult the original series.

    Explanation: The "N.S." indicates a break in the continuous numbering and often a change in the publication's nature, helping researchers navigate its content over time.

• 2. New Style

  In historical contexts, particularly when discussing dates, N.S. stands for New Style. This refers to the Gregorian calendar, which was gradually adopted by various countries to replace the older Julian calendar. The Julian calendar had accumulated an error over centuries, causing it to drift out of sync with the solar year. The Gregorian calendar corrected this error. When a date is marked N.S., it means the date is given according to the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar system predominantly used today.

  • Example 1: A legal document from 18th-century England might record a birth as "January 15, 1752 (O.S.) / January 26, 1752 (N.S.)." This is because Great Britain and its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, requiring a clear distinction between dates before and after the change.

    Explanation: The "N.S." clarifies that January 26, 1752, is the date according to the Gregorian calendar, which is the standard calendar system used today, preventing confusion with the Julian calendar date (O.S. - Old Style).

  • Example 2: In a historical legal case concerning an inheritance dispute, the exact date of death of a testator (the person who made a will) was crucial. Records from a region that had recently transitioned to the Gregorian calendar might state the death occurred on "March 3, 1699 (N.S.)." This precision was vital for determining the validity of the will and the legal heirs, as different calendar systems could lead to different interpretations of timelines.

    Explanation: By specifying "N.S.", the document ensures that the date of death is understood according to the more accurate Gregorian calendar, which is essential for establishing a precise timeline in legal matters.