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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 30, 2001.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;File No. _________</FONT></P>
<HR size="4" color="#000000">
<HR size="1" color="#000000">
<P ALIGN="center"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">&nbsp;SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION<BR>
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</FONT></P>
<FONT SIZE="1">
<HR color="#000000" width="45%">
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="3">FORM S-8<BR>
</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</FONT></P>
<FONT SIZE="1">
<HR color="#000000" width="45%">
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="3">ACUITY BRANDS, INC.<BR>
</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(Exact Name of Registrant as
Specified in its Charter)</FONT></P>
<FONT SIZE="1">
</FONT>
<TABLE BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="734">
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Delaware<BR>
      </FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="1">(State or Other
      Jurisdiction of<BR>
      Incorporation or Organization)</FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">58-2632672<BR>
      </FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="1">(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
      Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="bottom"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Acuity Brands,
      Inc.<BR>
      1420 Peachtree Street, N.E.<BR>
      Atlanta, Georgia 30309<BR>
      (404) 853-1000<BR>
      </FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="1">(Address, including Zip
      Code, Telephone Number,<BR>
      including Area Code, of Registrant&#146;s Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="bottom"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Kenyon W. Murphy<BR>
      Senior Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
      Acuity Brands, Inc.<BR>
      1420 Peachtree Street, N.E.<BR>
      Atlanta, Georgia 30309<BR>
      (404) 853-1000<BR>
      </FONT></B><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="1">(Name, Address, including
      Zip Code, and Telephone Number,<BR>
      including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<B>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Acuity Brands, Inc.
Long-Term Incentive Plan<BR>
Acuity Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan<BR>
Acuity Brands, Inc. 2001
Nonemployee Directors&#146; Stock Option Plan</FONT></P>
</B>
<FONT SIZE="1">
<HR color="#000000" width="45%" size="1">
</FONT><I>
<FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2"><center>(Full Title of the
Plans)</center></FONT>
</I>
<FONT SIZE="1">
<HR color="#000000" width="45%" size="1">
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Copies to:</FONT></P>
<B>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Jan M. Davidson, Esq.<BR>
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP<BR>
1100 Peachtree Street,
N.E. , Suite 2800<BR>
Atlanta, Georgia 30309<BR>
(404) 815-6500<BR>
(404) 815-6555 (fax)</FONT></P>
</B>
<FONT SIZE="1">
<HR color="#000000" width="45%" size="1">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
<p ALIGN="left">&nbsp;</p>
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><B><FONT SIZE="2"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE</FONT></P>
</FONT></B>
<DIV align="center">
  <CENTER>
<TABLE BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="640" bordercolorlight="#000000" bordercolordark="#000000">
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="245" VALIGN="TOP">
      <P ALIGN="center"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Title of Each Class&nbsp;<BR>
      of Securities to be Registered</FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="137" VALIGN="TOP">
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Amount<BR>
      to be Registered <B>(1)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="165" VALIGN="TOP">
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Proposed Maximum<BR>
      Aggregate Offering Price <B>(2)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="85" VALIGN="TOP">
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Amount of<BR>
      Registration Fee</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="245" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Common Stock, $0.01
      par value per share</FONT></B></TD>
  </CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="137" VALIGN="TOP" align="right"><B>
      <P ALIGN="right"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">8,100,000 (3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></B></TD>
  <CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="165" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(4)</FONT></B></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="85" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(5)</FONT></B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="245" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Common Stock, $0.01
      par value per share</FONT></B></TD>
  </CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="137" VALIGN="TOP" align="right"><B>
      <P ALIGN="right"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">1,500,000
      (6)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></B></TD>
  <CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="165" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(4)</FONT></B></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="85" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(5)</FONT></B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="245" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Common Stock, $0.01
      par value per share</FONT></B></TD>
  </CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="137" VALIGN="TOP" align="right"><B>
      <P ALIGN="right"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">300,000
      (7)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></B></TD>
  <CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="165" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(4)</FONT></B></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="85" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(5)</FONT></B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="245" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Preferred Stock
      Purchase Rights (8)</FONT></B></TD>
  </CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="137" VALIGN="TOP" align="right"><B>
      <P ALIGN="right"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">9,900,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></B></TD>
  <CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="165" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(9)</FONT></B></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="85" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(9)</FONT></B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="245" VALIGN="TOP"><B>
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Total Registration</FONT></B></TD>
  </CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="137" VALIGN="TOP" align="right"><B>
      <P ALIGN="right"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">9,900,000&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></B></TD>
  <CENTER>
    <TD WIDTH="165" VALIGN="TOP" align="center"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">$121,374,000</font></b></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="85" VALIGN="TOP" align="center"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">$29,008.39</font></b></TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
  </CENTER>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
  <CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="642" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5">
  <TR>
    <TD valign="top" width="34">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(1)</FONT></P>
    </TD>
    <TD width="584">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Pursuant to Rule 416 of
the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover
any additional securities to be offered or issued in the event a stock dividend,
stock split, recapitalization, or other similar changes in the capital
structure,&nbsp; merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up,
reorganization, partial or complete liquidation, or other distribution of
assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or any other corporate transactions or
event having an effect&nbsp; similar to any of the foregoing.</FONT></P>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD valign="top" width="34">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(2)</FONT></P>
    </TD>
    <TD width="584">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Estimated solely for the
purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance
with Rule 457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act .&nbsp; The proposed maximum
aggregate offering price and amount of registration fee are based on $12.26, the
average of the high and low prices reported on the NYSE on November 29, 2001.</FONT></P>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD valign="top" width="34">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(3)</FONT></P>
    </TD>
    <TD width="584">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Denotes shares of Common
Stock to be issued under the Acuity Brands, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.</FONT></P>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD valign="top" width="34">
<FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(4)</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD width="584">
<FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Maximum Aggregate Offering Price included
in Total below.</FONT>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD valign="top" width="34">
<FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(5)</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD width="584">
<FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Amount of Registration Fee included in
Total below.</FONT>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD valign="top" width="34">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(6)</FONT></P>
    </TD>
    <TD width="584">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Denotes shares of Common
Stock to be issued under the Acuity Brands, Inc. Stock Purchase Plan.</FONT></P>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD valign="top" width="34">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(7)</FONT></P>
    </TD>
    <TD width="584">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Denotes shares of Common
Stock to be issued under the Acuity Brands, Inc. 2001 Nonemployee Directors&#146;
Stock Option Plan.</FONT></P>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD valign="top" width="34">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(8)</FONT></P>
    </TD>
    <TD width="584">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">The Preferred Stock
Purchase Rights initially trade with the Common Stock and are not currently
exercisable.</FONT></P>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD valign="top" width="34">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(9)</FONT></P>
    </TD>
    <TD width="584">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Not applicable.</FONT></P>
    </TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
  </CENTER>
</DIV>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">____________________________________</FONT></P>
<B>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">The Registrant hereby
amends this Registration Statement on a date or dates as may be necessary to
delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment
which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter
become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on a date
as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.</FONT></P>
<FONT SIZE="1">
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<HR color="#000080" size="3">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</FONT></B><FONT SIZE="2">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">ITEM 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Plan
Information</U>*</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">ITEM 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Registration
Information and Employee Plan Annual Information</U>*</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">____________</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Information required
by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this
Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</P>
<B>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">PART II</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT></P>
</B>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman">ITEM 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><U><FONT face="Times New Roman">Incorporation
of Documents by Reference</FONT></P>
</U>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">The Registrant hereby
incorporates by reference in this Registration Statement the Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, SEC File Number 001-16583 filed
on July 3, 2001 (the &quot;Form 10&quot;) with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &quot;SEC&quot;).</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">All documents
subsequently filed by the Registrant with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
of filing of such documents. Any statement in a document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for the purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement.</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman">ITEM 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><U><FONT face="Times New Roman">Description
of Securities</FONT></P>
</U>
<P ALIGN="justify" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Not applicable (the Common
Stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act).</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman">ITEM 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><U><FONT face="Times New Roman">Interests
of Named Experts and Counsel</FONT></P>
</U>
<P ALIGN="justify" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">The validity of the shares
of Common Stock issuable under the Plans set forth on the cover page of this
Registration Statement has been passed upon for the Registrant by Kenyon W.
Murphy, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Director of the Registrant.</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman">ITEM 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><U><FONT face="Times New Roman">Indemnification
of Directors and Officers</FONT></P>
</U>
<P ALIGN="justify" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Acuity's By-laws and
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which allows, and in some
cases requires, the indemnification of directors and officers under certain
circumstances, grant Acuity's directors and officers a right to indemnification
to the fullest extent permitted by law for all expenses relating to civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative procedures to which they are a party (i)
by reason of the fact that they are or were directors or officers of Acuity or
(ii) by reason of the fact that, while they are or were directors or officers of
Acuity, they are or were serving at the request of Acuity as a director, officer
or employee of another enterprise. Acuity's By-laws further provide that an
advancement for any such expenses shall only be made upon delivery to Acuity by
the indemnitee of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it is
ultimately determined that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by
Acuity.</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="justify" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Acuity
will also enter into indemnification agreements with certain of its directors and
officers. These agreements require Acuity to indemnify these directors and
officers with respect to their activities as directors or</FONT></P>
<HR color="#000080" size="3">
<FONT SIZE="1">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="justify" style="text-indent: 0"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">officers of Acuity or
when serving at Acuity's request as a director, officer or trustee of another
corporation, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys'
fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably
incurred by them in any threatened, pending or completed suit or proceeding
(civil, criminal administrative or investigative) to which they are, or are
threatened to be made, parties as a result of their service to Acuity. Acuity
will agree to indemnify each indemnitee for any one or a combination of the
following, whichever is most advantageous to the indemnitee, as determined by
the indemnitee (i) the benefits provided by Acuity's certificate of
incorporation and By-laws in effect on the date of the indemnification
agreement; (ii) the benefits provided by Acuity's certificate of incorporation
and By-laws at the time expenses are incurred by the indemnitee; (iii) the
benefits allowable under Delaware law in effect on the date of the
indemnification agreement; (iv) the benefits allowable under the law of the
jurisdiction under which Acuity exists at the time expenses are incurred by the
indemnitee; (v) the benefits available under liability insurance obtained by
Acuity; and (vi) such other benefits as may be otherwise available to indemnitee
under Acuity's existing practices. Under the indemnification agreements, each
indemnitee will continue to be indemnified even after ceasing to occupy a position
as an officer, director, employee or agent of Acuity with respect to suits or
proceedings arising out of acts or omissions during his service to Acuity.&nbsp;
Each
indemnitee will agree to notify Acuity promptly of any proceeding brought or
threatened and not to make any admission or settlement without Acuity's consent,
unless the indemnitee determines to undertake his own defense and waives the
benefits of the indemnification agreement.</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman">ITEM 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><U><FONT face="Times New Roman">Exemption
from Registration Claimed</FONT></P>
</U>
<P ALIGN="justify" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Not applicable.</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman">ITEM 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><U><FONT face="Times New Roman">Exhibits</FONT></P>
</U>
</FONT>
<TABLE BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="638">
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><U><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Exhibit No.</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><U><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Description</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">4.1</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Certificate of
      Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
      Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the Commission).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">4.2</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">By-laws (incorporated
      herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Form 10 previously
      filed with the Commission).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">4.3</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Form of common
      stock certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
      Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the Commission).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">4.4</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Form of
      Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference
      to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the
      Commission).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">5</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Opinion and
      consent of Kenyon W. Murphy, Esq.</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">23.1</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Consent of Arthur
      Andersen LLP.</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">23.2</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Consent of Kenyon
      W. Murphy, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5 hereto).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">24</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Power of Attorney
      (included in signature page of this Registration Statement).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<FONT SIZE="2">
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman">ITEM
9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><U><FONT face="Times New Roman">Undertakings</FONT></P>
</U>
<P ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">The undersigned Registrant
hereby undertakes:</FONT></P>
<dir><dir>
<TABLE border="0" width="669" cellpadding="5">
  <TR>
    <TD width="50" valign="top">
        <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(1)</FONT></P>
    </TD>
    <TD width="603" colspan="2">
        <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2"> to file,
        during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
        post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</FONT></P>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="50" valign="top">
    </TD>
    <TD width="45">
        <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(a)&nbsp;</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD width="558">
        <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2"> to include any
    prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</FONT>
    </TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
</dir></dir>
<P ALIGN="center" style="text-indent: 0"><FONT face="Times New Roman">2</FONT></P>
<HR color="#000080" size="3">
<FONT SIZE="1">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</FONT>
<dir><dir>
<TABLE border="0" width="669" cellpadding="5">
  <TR>
    <TD width="50" valign="top">
    &nbsp;
    </TD>
    <TD width="45" valign="top">
        <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(b)&nbsp;</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD width="558">
        <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">&nbsp;to reflect in
    the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
    registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)
    which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in
    the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
    foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
    total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
    registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
    maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
    the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
    and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
    offering price set forth in the &quot;Calculation of Registration Fee&quot;
    table in the effective registration statement; and</FONT>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="50" valign="top">
    </TD>
    <TD width="45" valign="top">
        <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(c)</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD width="558">
        <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(to include any
    material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
    disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
    information in the registration statement;</FONT>
    </TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
</dir></dir>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">provided, however, that
paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.</FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<dir><dir>
<TABLE border="0" width="669" cellpadding="5">
  <TR>
    <TD width="50" valign="top">
        <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(2)</FONT></P>
    </TD>
    <TD width="603">
        <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2"> That, for
        the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
        such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
        statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
        of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
        fide offering thereof.</FONT></P>
    </TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="50" valign="top">
        <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">(3)</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD width="603">
        <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2"> To remove
        from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
        securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
        the offering.</FONT>
    </TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
</dir></dir>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">The undersigned
Registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</FONT></P>
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="left">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="left">&nbsp;</P>
<FONT SIZE="2">
<P ALIGN="center" style="text-indent: 0"><FONT face="Times New Roman">3</FONT></P>
<HR color="#000080" size="3">
<FONT SIZE="1">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</FONT>
</FONT>
<B><FONT SIZE="2">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">SIGNATURES</FONT></P>
</FONT></B><FONT SIZE="2">
<P ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Acuity Brands, Inc. has duly caused
this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Atlanta, Georgia on November 30, 2001.</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</P>
                        <B>
                        <TABLE border="0" width="669" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
                          <TR>
                            <TD width="303">&nbsp;</TD>
                        </B>
                            <TD width="350">
                        <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2"><B>ACUITY
                        BRANDS, INC.</B></FONT></P>
                        <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I><FONT color="#800000"><B>/s/
                        Kenyon W. Murphy</B></FONT></I>
                            <HR color="#000000" size="1" align="right" width="90%">
                        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kenyon
                        W. Murphy<BR>
                        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Senior
                          Vice President and General Counsel</FONT>
                          </TD>
                        </TR>
</TABLE>
<B>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="center"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</FONT></P>
</B>
<P ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Each person whose
signature appears below in so signing also makes, constitutes, and appoints
James S. Balloun and Kenyon W. Murphy and each of them acting alone, his true
and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and
all capacities to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission any and all amendments and post-effective amendments to this
registration statement, together with exhibits to any such registration
statement or amendments and other documents in connection therewith, and hereby
ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or said attorney-in-fact&#146;s
substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</FONT></P>
<FONT SIZE="2">
<B>
<P ALIGN="center"><U><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">SIGNATURES</FONT></P>
</U></B>
<P ALIGN="LEFT" style="text-indent: 60"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
signed on November 30, 2001, by the following persons in the capacities
indicated.</FONT></P>
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="7" WIDTH="638">
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><U><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Signature</FONT></P>
      </FONT></U>
    </TD>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><U><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Position</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><I>/s/ James S. Balloun</I></B>
      <HR color="#000000" size="1" align="left" width="90%">
      James S. Balloun</FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Chairman of the
      Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><I>/s/ <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Brock A. Hattox</FONT>
      </I></B>
      <HR color="#000000" size="1" align="left" width="90%">
      <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Brock A. Hattox</FONT>
      </FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Executive Vice
      President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial and
      Accounting Officer)</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;<B><I>/s/ <FONT face="Times New Roman">Kenyon W.
      Murphy</FONT></I></B>
      <HR color="#000000" size="1" align="left" width="90%">
      <FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Kenyon W. Murphy</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Senior Vice
      President, General Counsel and Director</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<FONT SIZE="2">
<P ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</P>
<HR color="#000080" size="3">
<FONT SIZE="1">
<DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always">&nbsp;</DIV>
</FONT>
                      </FONT>
<B>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">EXHIBIT INDEX</FONT></P>
</B>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</P>
</FONT>
<TABLE BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="638">
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><U><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Exhibit No.</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><U><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Description</FONT></FONT></U></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">4.1</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Certificate of
      Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
      Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the Commission).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">4.2</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">By-laws (incorporated
      herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Form 10 previously
      filed with the Commission).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">4.3</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Form of common
      stock certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
      Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the Commission).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">4.4</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Form of
      Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference
      to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the
      Commission).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">5</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Opinion and
      consent of Kenyon W. Murphy, Esq.</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">23.1</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Consent of Arthur
      Andersen LLP.</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">23.2</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Consent of Kenyon
      W. Murphy, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5 hereto).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="12%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">24</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="88%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE="2">
      <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size="2">Power of Attorney
      (included in signature page of this Registration Statement).</FONT></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<FONT SIZE="2">
<P ALIGN="LEFT">&nbsp;</P>
</FONT>

</BODY>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ACUITY BRANDS INC", "cik": "0001144215", "assigned-sic": "5160"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-74246", "film-number": "1803871"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1420 PEACHTREE ST N.E.", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30309-3002", "phone": "4048591000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1420 PEACHTREE ST.N.E.", "city": "ATLANTA", "state": "GA", "zip": "30309-3002"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "L&C SPINCO INC", "date-changed": "20010629"}}
Prepared by Kilpatrick Stockton EDGAR Services
As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 30, 2001.                                        File No. _________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as
Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
(State or Other
      Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
58-2632672
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Acuity Brands,
      Inc.
1420 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
(404) 853-1000
(Address, including Zip
      Code, Telephone Number,
including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
Kenyon W. Murphy
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Acuity Brands, Inc.
1420 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
(404) 853-1000
(Name, Address, including
      Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Acuity Brands, Inc.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
Acuity Brands, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Acuity Brands, Inc. 2001
Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan
(Full Title of the
Plans)
Copies to:
Jan M. Davidson, Esq.
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
1100 Peachtree Street,
N.E. , Suite 2800
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
(404) 815-6500
(404) 815-6555 (fax)
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class
of Securities to be Registered
Amount
to be Registered
(1)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price
(2)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.01
      par value per share
8,100,000 (3)
(4)
(5)
Common Stock, $0.01
      par value per share
1,500,000
      (6)
(4)
(5)
Common Stock, $0.01
      par value per share
300,000
      (7)
(4)
(5)
Preferred Stock
      Purchase Rights (8)
9,900,000
(9)
(9)
Total Registration
9,900,000
$121,374,000
$29,008.39
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416 of
the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover
any additional securities to be offered or issued in the event a stock dividend,
stock split, recapitalization, or other similar changes in the capital
structure,  merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up,
reorganization, partial or complete liquidation, or other distribution of
assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or any other corporate transactions or
event having an effect  similar to any of the foregoing.
(2)
Estimated solely for the
purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance
with Rule 457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act .  The proposed maximum
aggregate offering price and amount of registration fee are based on $12.26, the
average of the high and low prices reported on the NYSE on November 29, 2001.
(3)
Denotes shares of Common
Stock to be issued under the Acuity Brands, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(4)
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price included
in Total below.
(5)
Amount of Registration Fee included in
Total below.
(6)
Denotes shares of Common
Stock to be issued under the Acuity Brands, Inc. Stock Purchase Plan.
(7)
Denotes shares of Common
Stock to be issued under the Acuity Brands, Inc. 2001 Nonemployee Directors'
Stock Option Plan.
(8)
The Preferred Stock
Purchase Rights initially trade with the Common Stock and are not currently
exercisable.
(9)
Not applicable.
____________________________________
The Registrant hereby
amends this Registration Statement on a date or dates as may be necessary to
delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment
which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter
become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on a date
as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
ITEM 1.
Plan
Information
*
ITEM 2.
Registration
Information and Employee Plan Annual Information
*
____________
*          Information required
by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this
Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3.
Incorporation
of Documents by Reference
The Registrant hereby
incorporates by reference in this Registration Statement the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, SEC File Number 001-16583 filed
on July 3, 2001 (the "Form 10") with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC").
All documents
subsequently filed by the Registrant with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
of filing of such documents. Any statement in a document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for the purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement.
ITEM 4.
Description
of Securities
Not applicable (the Common
Stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act).
ITEM 5.
Interests
of Named Experts and Counsel
The validity of the shares
of Common Stock issuable under the Plans set forth on the cover page of this
Registration Statement has been passed upon for the Registrant by Kenyon W.
Murphy, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Director of the Registrant.
ITEM 6.
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
Acuity's By-laws and
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which allows, and in some
cases requires, the indemnification of directors and officers under certain
circumstances, grant Acuity's directors and officers a right to indemnification
to the fullest extent permitted by law for all expenses relating to civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative procedures to which they are a party (i)
by reason of the fact that they are or were directors or officers of Acuity or
(ii) by reason of the fact that, while they are or were directors or officers of
Acuity, they are or were serving at the request of Acuity as a director, officer
or employee of another enterprise. Acuity's By-laws further provide that an
advancement for any such expenses shall only be made upon delivery to Acuity by
the indemnitee of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it is
ultimately determined that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by
Acuity.
Acuity
will also enter into indemnification agreements with certain of its directors and
officers. These agreements require Acuity to indemnify these directors and
officers with respect to their activities as directors or
officers of Acuity or
when serving at Acuity's request as a director, officer or trustee of another
corporation, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys'
fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably
incurred by them in any threatened, pending or completed suit or proceeding
(civil, criminal administrative or investigative) to which they are, or are
threatened to be made, parties as a result of their service to Acuity. Acuity
will agree to indemnify each indemnitee for any one or a combination of the
following, whichever is most advantageous to the indemnitee, as determined by
the indemnitee (i) the benefits provided by Acuity's certificate of
incorporation and By-laws in effect on the date of the indemnification
agreement; (ii) the benefits provided by Acuity's certificate of incorporation
and By-laws at the time expenses are incurred by the indemnitee; (iii) the
benefits allowable under Delaware law in effect on the date of the
indemnification agreement; (iv) the benefits allowable under the law of the
jurisdiction under which Acuity exists at the time expenses are incurred by the
indemnitee; (v) the benefits available under liability insurance obtained by
Acuity; and (vi) such other benefits as may be otherwise available to indemnitee
under Acuity's existing practices. Under the indemnification agreements, each
indemnitee will continue to be indemnified even after ceasing to occupy a position
as an officer, director, employee or agent of Acuity with respect to suits or
proceedings arising out of acts or omissions during his service to Acuity. 
Each
indemnitee will agree to notify Acuity promptly of any proceeding brought or
threatened and not to make any admission or settlement without Acuity's consent,
unless the indemnitee determines to undertake his own defense and waives the
benefits of the indemnification agreement.
ITEM 7.
Exemption
from Registration Claimed
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.
Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Certificate of
      Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
      Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the Commission).
4.2
By-laws (incorporated
      herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Form 10 previously
      filed with the Commission).
4.3
Form of common
      stock certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
      Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the Commission).
4.4
Form of
      Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference
      to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the
      Commission).
5
Opinion and
      consent of Kenyon W. Murphy, Esq.
23.1
Consent of Arthur
      Andersen LLP.
23.2
Consent of Kenyon
      W. Murphy, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5 hereto).
24
Power of Attorney
      (included in signature page of this Registration Statement).
ITEM
9.
Undertakings
The undersigned Registrant
hereby undertakes:
(1)
to file,
        during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
        post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(a)
to include any
    prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
2
(b)
to reflect in
    the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
    registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)
    which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in
    the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
    foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
    total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
    registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
    maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
    the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
    and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
    offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee"
    table in the effective registration statement; and
(c)
(to include any
    material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
    disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
    information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that
paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.
(2)
That, for
        the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
        such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
        statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
        of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
        fide offering thereof.
(3)
To remove
        from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
        securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
        the offering.
The undersigned
Registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Acuity Brands, Inc. has duly caused
this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Atlanta, Georgia on November 30, 2001.
ACUITY
                        BRANDS, INC.
By:
/s/
                        Kenyon W. Murphy
Kenyon
                        W. Murphy
Senior
                          Vice President and General Counsel
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose
signature appears below in so signing also makes, constitutes, and appoints
James S. Balloun and Kenyon W. Murphy and each of them acting alone, his true
and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and
all capacities to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission any and all amendments and post-effective amendments to this
registration statement, together with exhibits to any such registration
statement or amendments and other documents in connection therewith, and hereby
ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or said attorney-in-fact's
substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
signed on November 30, 2001, by the following persons in the capacities
indicated.
Signature
Position
/s/ James S. Balloun
James S. Balloun
Chairman of the
      Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/
Brock A. Hattox
Brock A. Hattox
Executive Vice
      President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial and
      Accounting Officer)
/s/
Kenyon W.
      Murphy
Kenyon W. Murphy
Senior Vice
      President, General Counsel and Director
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Certificate of
      Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
      Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the Commission).
4.2
By-laws (incorporated
      herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Form 10 previously
      filed with the Commission).
4.3
Form of common
      stock certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
      Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the Commission).
4.4
Form of
      Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference
      to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Form 10 previously filed with the
      Commission).
5
Opinion and
      consent of Kenyon W. Murphy, Esq.
23.1
Consent of Arthur
      Andersen LLP.
23.2
Consent of Kenyon
      W. Murphy, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5 hereto).
24
Power of Attorney
      (included in signature page of this Registration Statement).