For hundreds of years, written contracts covering the leasing of a ship have been known as “charter parties.” The term “charter party” derives from the Medieval Latin phrase “carta partita,” meaning “divided document.” To ensure the authenticity of a document, it was customary to execute the contract two times on the same piece of paper and then to tear it into two irregular portions. Each party would take one portion; subsequently, the authenticity of the document could be proven when the tom edges of the two copies fit together. Although this custom was not confined to contracts involving ships, widespread usage in sea commerce ultimately reserved the term “carta partita” to shipping contracts.