Estrada doctrine
The doctrine that recognition of a government should be based on its de facto existence, rather than on its legitimacy. It is named after Don Genero Estrada, the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs who in 1930 ordered that Mexican diplomats should issue no declarations that amounted to a grant of recognition: he felt that this was an insulting practice and offended against the sovereignty of other nations. In 1980 the UK, USA, and many other states adopted the Estrada doctrine. Compare Tobar doctrine.

• unreasonable behaviour
• unreasonableness
• unregistered company
• unregistered land
• unsecured creditor
• unsolicited goods
• unsworn evidence
• unsworn statement
• uplift
• Upper Tribunal
• urine specimen
• usage
• use
• use and occupation
• use classes
• use of force
• user
• use upon a use
• usual covenants
• usufruct
• utilitarianism
• utility model
• uti possidetis
• utter Bar
• vacantia bona