terra nullius

law

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July 23, 2026

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Terra nullius is a Latin term meaning "nobody's land". It refers to territory that has not been annexed by any nation.1

Historically, this concept has been applied to lands that were considered uninhabited or whose inhabitants were not recognized as having a sovereign claim to the territory under European international law. The term is distinct from terra incognita, which simply means "unknown territory" and can refer to unexplored areas, whether they are legally claimed or not.12

The application of terra nullius has been a significant and controversial legal principle, particularly in colonial contexts, as it was used to justify the acquisition of land by European powers.1

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international law
Territory
…occupation of territory that is terra nullius (Latin: “the land of no one”)—i.e., land not under the sovereignty or control of any other state or socially or politically organized grouping; or by prescription, where a state acquires territory through a continued period of uncontested sovereignty.
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…occupation of territory that is terra nullius (Latin: “the land of no one”)—i.e., land not under the sovereignty or control of any other state or socially or politically organized grouping; or by prescription, where a state acquires territory through a continued period of uncontested sovereignty.
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Queensland
Federation and the state of Queensland
…overturned the previous concept of terra nullius (Latin: “the land of no one”), which had deprived the indigenous peoples of their customary property rights. The Wik case of 1996, involving Aboriginal claims, also heard in the High Court, ruled that native title could coexist with pastoral leases. As land is…
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…overturned the previous concept of terra nullius (Latin: “the land of no one”), which had deprived the indigenous peoples of their customary property rights. The Wik case of 1996, involving Aboriginal claims, also heard in the High Court, ruled that native title could coexist with pastoral leases. As land is…
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Torres Strait Islander peoples
History and governance
…overturned the previous concept of terra nullius (Latin: “the land of no one”), which had deprived the Indigenous peoples of their customary property rights. In 1994 the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) was established in response to the push for growing local autonomy, which was further advanced with the creation…
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…overturned the previous concept of terra nullius (Latin: “the land of no one”), which had deprived the Indigenous peoples of their customary property rights. In 1994 the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) was established in response to the push for growing local autonomy, which was further advanced with the creation…
Read More