Terra nullius (English pronunciation IPA: /ˈtɛrə nəˈlaɪəs/, Latin pronunciation IPA: [ˈtɛrːa nʊlːˈiʊs]) is a Latin expression eriving from Roman Law meaning "land belonging to no one", "nobody's land" i.e. "empty land", applying the general principle of res nullius to real estate, in terms of private ownership and/or as territory under public law.