Uti possidetis (
Latin for "as you possess") is a principle in
international law that territory and other property remains with its possessor at the end of a conflict, unless otherwise provided for by
treaty; if such a treaty does not include conditions regarding the possession of property and territory taken during the war, then the principle of uti possidetis will prevail. Originating in
Roman law, the phrase is derived from the
Latin expression
uti possidetis, ita possideatis, meaning "may you continue to possess such as you do possess" (lit., "as you possess, thus may you possess"). This principle enables a belligerent party to claim territory that it has acquired by war.