Legal Definitions - res nullius

RES NULLIUS

Res nullius is a Latin term that means "thing of no one." It refers to something that is considered ownerless and cannot belong to anyone.

• Wild animals that roam freely in the forest are considered res nullius because they are not owned by anyone.
• Abandoned buildings or properties that have no clear owner can also be considered res nullius.

These examples illustrate how res nullius applies to things that are not owned by anyone. Wild animals and abandoned properties are not under the control of any individual or organization, and therefore cannot be claimed as someone's property.