uti possidetis

noun

uti pos·​si·​de·​tis

ˈyü-tī-ˌpä-sə-ˈdē-təs, ˈü-tē-ˌpȯ-sē-ˈdā-tēs

: a principle in international law that recognizes a peace treaty between parties as vesting each with the territory and property under its control unless otherwise stipulated

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, as you (now) possess (it); from the wording of an interdict in Roman law enjoining both parties in a suit to maintain the status quo until the decision