Also known as: admiralty laws · admiralty · maritime law · maritime laws
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
Federal jurisdiction over disputes arising from navigation, shipping, and commerce on navigable waters. The Constitution assigns such cases to the judicial power, and federal procedural and evidentiary rules govern proceedings asserting admiralty or maritime claims.
Alpine Mining charters a vessel to transport ore across the Great Lakes. When the cargo is damaged in transit, Alpine sues the carrier in federal district court. The court exercises authority because the dispute arises from maritime commerce on navigable waters.
Apollo Energy sues a tug operator after a collision on the Mississippi River. The federal court applies the Federal Rules of Evidence to all testimony and documents because the proceeding is an admiralty case.
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During wartime, naval forces seize a foreign merchant ship carrying contraband. The government brings a prize action in federal court to condemn the vessel. The court resolves ownership and condemnation issues under admiralty procedures.
Alliance Holdings charters an offshore drilling rig under a contract containing a London forum clause. After a storm damages the rig, the owner sues in a U.S. district court. The court enforces the clause and dismisses the action.
Aether Technologies installs turbines on a commercial vessel. When the turbines fail at sea, the owner sues the manufacturer for lost profits. The court dismisses the tort claims because the only losses are economic and arise from a maritime contract.
Ava Adebayo purchases a cruise ticket containing a Florida forum selection clause. She is injured during the voyage and sues in her home state. The court transfers the case to Florida pursuant to the clause.
Article III, Section 2 extends the judicial power to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction. This grant places traditional maritime disputes within the federal judicial power rather than state courts or executive tribunals.
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Yes. The rules expressly apply to civil cases and proceedings, including admiralty and maritime cases. This ensures uniform evidentiary standards regardless of the specialized subject matter.
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No. Admiralty jurisdiction is textually committed to Article III courts. Congress may regulate appellate jurisdiction but cannot remove core maritime cases from the judicial branch entirely.
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A lawyer admitted elsewhere may provide temporary services reasonably related to a pending federal admiralty proceeding if the lawyer reasonably expects pro hac vice authorization. Activities such as attending inspections and arguing motions before the order are permitted under this exception.
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…253, 257 (D. Douglas ed. 1955). A decade before the Revolution, England gave jurisdiction over Stamp Act offenses to the admiralty courts, which followed civil-law rather than common-law procedures and thus routinely took testimony by deposition or private judicial examination. See 5 Geo. 3, c. 12, § 57 (1765);…