VPRS 16535 Admiralty Process Register

Full description

Admiralty jurisdiction is concerned with shipping disputes. Until 1890 with the passing of the Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act (UK) which made all colonial courts of law which had unlimited civil jurisdiction a court of admiralty, the Supreme Court was made a Vice-Admiralty Court of the British one. The 1890 Act is the basis for the admiralty jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

The jurisdiction extends to matters such as certain claims for seamen's wages, salvage disputes, bottomry bonds, certain claims for damages done to and by ships, certain disputes relating to the possession or ownership of ships and some cargo claims. There is the power to arrest ships or cargoes, attracting jurisdiction over the defendant owner with the ship or cargo becoming available as security to meet the judgment.

This register details of Action commenced in the Supreme Court in the Admiralty Jurisdictions. The information recorded included file registration number; details of the plaintiff and defendant and their respective solicitors; nature and details about actions which included matters such as damage to cargo or damage for breach of contract.