Justice AR. Lakshmanan was born on March 22nd 1942 at Devakottai, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu. He enrolled as Lawyer on January 10, 1968 at Madras High Court.Was nominated as Senior Advocate by the Government of Tamil Nadu to impart training to the selected Law Graduates belonging to the Backward Classes under the Scheme, formulated by the Government of Tamil Nadu.Was appointed as Government Pleader, High Court by the Government of Tamil Nadu on 22.3.1989.Was appointed as a Permanent Judge of the madras High Court, on 14.6.1990 by His Excellency the President of India.
He is the recipient of “Shiromani Vikas Award” for National Integration and Development from His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu.He is the recipient of “Vijay Shree Award” for his professional excellence. The award was instituted by the International Friendship Society of India, New Delhi.
On 4.12.1997, he was transferred to Kerala High Court.Remained Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Kerala from 23.5.1999 to 20.9.1999 and again from 8.5.2000 onwards. “Doctor of Laws” was conferred by the Governor of Tamil Nadu/ and Chancellor of Annamali University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu on Justice AR. Lakshmanan as an eminent legal luminary, rendering distinguished services as an outstanding Judge and Champion of Human Rights on 10.1.2000. He was Chief Justice, High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan from 29.5.2000.
He has sworned in as Chief Justice, High Court of A.P on 26.11.2001. He was elevated as Judge to Supreme Court of India on 20.12.2002 F.N.