Legal Definitions - de rationabilibus divisis

Definition: De rationabilibus divisis (dee rash-uhn-uh-bil-i-buhs di-v I-sis) is a Latin term used in law that means "of the fixing of reasonable boundaries." It refers to a writ that was used to settle disputes between property owners of different towns when one owner claimed a trespass by the other.

Example: For example, if a farmer in one town claimed that his neighbor in a neighboring town was allowing his animals to graze on his land, the farmer could use the de rationabilibus divisis writ to settle the dispute and establish the boundary between their properties.

The de rationabilibus divisis writ was used in medieval England to resolve disputes between property owners. It was an important tool for maintaining peace and order in rural communities, where property boundaries were often unclear and disputes could easily arise.