Maritime law << MAIR ih tym >> regulates commerce and navigation on the high seas or other navigable waters, including inland lakes and rivers. It involves all vessels, from huge passenger liners to small pleasure boats, and covers such matters as contracts, insurance, property damage, and personal injuries. Maritime law is sometimes referred to as admiralty law, because at one time it was administered under the jurisdiction of admirals.
Although a general maritime law has developed internationally, it operates in any nation according to the laws and usages of that country. Each nation bases its own maritime law on the general law. There is no international court to enforce maritime decisions. But all nations that have vessels on the sea set up national courts. These courts consider maritime cases in much the same way that civil courts hear other kinds of complaints. Federal district courts administer maritime law in the United States. Admiralty courts handle maritime cases in the United Kingdom.
