DIVISUM IMPERIUM

divisum  imperium  (di-vI-z<<schwa>>m  im-peer-ee-<<schwa>>m),   n.[Latin  “a  divided

empire”] Divided jurisdiction; alternate jurisdiction, as of courts.

“This  main  sea  begins  at  the  low-water-mark.  But  between  the  high-water-mark  and  the

low-water-mark,  where  the  sea  ebbs  and  flows,  the  common  law  and  admiralty  have  divisum

imperium, an alternate jurisdiction; one upon the water, when it is full sea; the other upon the land,

when it is an ebb.” 1 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 107 (1765). [Blacks Law 8th]