uti possidetis

American  

[yoo-tahy pos-i-dee-tis] / ˈju 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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of uti possidetis

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

uti possidetis

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

What!" said he to the envoys, "I had not yet relinquished the principle of the uti possidetis, and now I relinquish it at your emperor's request!

From World's Best Histories — Volume 7: France by Guizot, M. (François)

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

The treaty of 1750 virtually recognised the uti possidetis.

From The South American Republics Part I of II by Dawson, Thomas C.

No uti possidetis conveys any legitimate title, except on the condition of wise administration and mutual benefit.

From The Writings of James Russell Lowell in Prose and Poetry, Volume V Political Essays by Lowell, James Russell