uti possidetis

American  

[yoo-tahy pos-i-dee-tis] / ˈyu taɪ ˌpɒs ɪˈdi tɪs /

noun

International Law.

1. the principle that vests in either of the belligerents at the end of a war all territory actually occupied and controlled by them.

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uti possidetis British  

/ ˈjuːtaɪ ˌpɒsɪˈdiːtɪs /

noun

1. international law the rule that territory and other property remains in the hands of the belligerent state actually in possession at the end of a war unless otherwise provided for by treaty

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Etymology

Origin of uti possidetis

From Latin utī possidētis literally, “as you possess, as you hold”

Example Sentences

Now, Spain had reached a different position, and Spinola himself required a far heavier expenditure than she was prepared for as the alternative to a peace on the uti possidetis basis.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 12 — Modern History by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir

They entirely failed to see, as Washington saw, that in a too sudden peace lurked the danger of the uti possidetis, and that the mere fact of peace by no means implied necessarily complete success.

From George Washington, Volume I by Lodge, Henry Cabot

In his address on the opening of the legislature he dwelt on Wellington's reverses in the peninsula, and offered peace to Great Britain on the old terms of "uti possidetis" in Spain.

From The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Vol. III. (of IV.) by Sloane, William Milligan

The doctrine of uti possidetis may yet play an important part.

From The American Indian as Participant in the Civil War by Abel, Annie Heloise

On this a sort of convention took place between him and the managers of the Irish business, in which the six resolutions were to be considered as an uti possidetis, and to be held sacred.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 06 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund