uti possidetis
[Latin: as you possess] A principle usually applied in international law to the delineation of borders. When a colony gains independence, the colonial boundaries are accepted as the boundaries of the newly independent state. This practice, first adopted for the sake of expediency by the Spanish American colonies when they declared independence, has since been employed elsewhere in the world following the withdrawal of empire.

The principle of uti possidetis is also applied to the status of movable public property of belligerent states. Unless a peace treaty provides to the contrary, each party will retain such property as was in its possession on the day the hostilities ceased.

• multiple admissibility
• multiple agreement
• multiplier
• multi-track
• municipal law
• muniments
• murder
• mute
• mutiny
• mutuality of obligation
• mutual mistake
• mutual society
• mutual trading
• mutual wills
• M’Naghten Rules
• naked agreement
• naked trust
• name
• name and arms clause
• National Assembly for Wales
• National Audit Office
• National Crime Agency
• National Health Service
• National Insurance
• nationality