Introduction

The emergence of the Admiralty Court as a distinct jurisdiction has been traced to the period between the years 1340 and 1357. It is thought to have come into being because of difficulties experienced by domestic courts in dealing with international piracy claims. The old High Court of Admiralty ceased to exist on 2 November 1875 pursuant to the Judicature Acts 1873 and 1875. The abolition of the former Admiralty jurisdiction of the county courts has, however, not solved all the problems associated with litigating maritime claims in the county court. The geographical boundaries of the jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court of the Cinque Ports are a matter of ancient usage. Colonial Courts of Admiralty were established in place of Vice-Admiralty Courts by section 2 of the Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act 1890 and given the same jurisdiction as the High Court in England and Wales.