Admiralty law is alternatively referred to as maritime law. These set of laws act as guiding principles while deciding on issues like maritime offenses. These statutes are a set of international as well as domestic laws that not only oversee maritime activities but also play a crucial role when it comes to the administration of various private entities which have vessels in operation on the high seas.
The law takes into account issues like territorial waters, docks, cargo and passengers, inland waters, towage, navigation, canals, insurance and commerce. However, admiralty law is quite distinct from Laws of the Sea which is in fact a set of public international law that controls international relations, coastal water jurisdiction and navigational rights.
Maritime information or a discussion of maritime issues is thus practically incomplete without a discussion on admiralty law. The introduction of the maritime laws go back to the Roman and the Byzantine era. The American admiralty laws were framed by taking a clue from the British admiralty courts that were functional in a number of American colonies. In England, admiralty laws were first introduced by Eleanor of Aquitane when she was functioning as the ruler on behalf of her son.
The admiralty cases in the country were thereafter heard by the admiralty courts specifically constituted for this purpose. These courts are not governed by the common law of England but function as per Corpus Juris Civilis of Justinian. The court of admiralty is presided over by the lord high admiral of England.
The maritime courts also have jurisdiction over cases that involve maritime injuries taking place on navigable waters or in areas that are outside the purview of the common law. In fact, the flag hoisted by a ship onboard determines the admiralty laws by which it is governed and not by the country in which it has dropped its anchors or is currently sailing.
