Legal Definitions - rationabilibus divisis

RATIONABILIBUS DIVISIS

Rationabilibus divisis is a Latin term that means "of the fixing of reasonable boundaries." In legal history, it refers to a writ used to settle the boundaries between property owners of different towns when one owner claimed a trespass by the other.

For example, if two neighboring property owners had a dispute over the location of their shared boundary line, they could use the writ of rationabilibus divisis to settle the matter. The writ would appoint a group of impartial individuals to survey the land and determine the exact location of the boundary line, based on what was reasonable and fair to both parties.

Another example could be if a farmer claimed that his neighbor's livestock were grazing on his land, the writ of rationabilibus divisis could be used to determine the exact boundary line between the two properties and prevent any further disputes.

The examples illustrate how the writ of rationabilibus divisis was used to settle disputes between property owners over the location of their shared boundary lines. The writ ensured that the boundaries were fixed in a reasonable and fair manner, based on the evidence presented by both parties. This helped to prevent future disputes and maintain good relations between neighbors.