maritime court

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Maritime court is the court that exercises jurisdiction over maritime law. Its jurisdiction includes civil actions relating to ships and the sea, such as matters involving shipping, insurance, seafarers, cargo, and collisions at sea. In the United States, the maritime court is the federal district court authorized by the U.S. Constitution to exercise admiralty jurisdiction. Maritime courts operate under unique rules that distinguish them from civil courts in terms of procedure, such as the non-use of juries.

See: 28 U.S. Code § 1333

See also: admiralty court.

[Last updated in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team