Definition of Admiralty

A court exercising jurisdiction over maritime causes, both civil and criminal, and marine affairs, commerce and navigation, controversies arising out of acts done upon or relating to the sea, and over questions of prize Also, the system of jurisprudence relating to and growing out of the jurisdiction and practice of the admiralty courts. In English law. The executive department of state which presides over the naval forces of the kingdom. The normal head is the lord high admiral, but in practice the functions of the great office are discharged by several commissioners, of whom one is the chief, and is called the "First Lord." He is assisted by other lords and by various secretaries. Also the court of the admiral. The building where the lords of the admir-, alty transact business. In American law. A tribunal exercising jurisdiction over all maritime contracts, torts, injuries, or offenses. 2 Pars. Mar. Law, 508; New England Marine Ins. Co. v. Dunham, 11 Wall. 1, 23, 20 L. Ed. 90; De Lovio v. Boit, 2 Gall. 398, Fed. Cas. No. 3,776; The Belfast v. Boon, 7 Wall. 624, 19 L. Ed. 266; Ex parte Easton. 95 U. S. 68, 72, 24 L. Ed. 373.