British Prize Act 1708

The British Prize Act of 1708 was a law that established rules for how to handle "prizes," which are enemy ships or goods captured during wartime. It allowed privateers—those authorized by the government to attack enemy vessels—to claim rewards for captures. The act aimed to regulate the distribution of these prizes among ship captains and their crews, ensuring that prizes were dealt with fairly and outlined procedures for their sale and the division of proceeds. Overall, it structured the legal framework around naval warfare and privateering in Britain.