jus publicum

noun

jus pub·​li·​cum

-ˈpə-bli-kəm, -ˈpü-blē-ˌku̇m

: a right of public ownership

specifically : the right of ownership of real property that is held in trust by a government for the public

tidal flats are subject to the jus publicum

—United States v. Hensel, 509 F. Supp. 1376 (1981)

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, public law or right