prize law

Prize law governs the rules and practices relating to the capturing and treatment of enemy ships and cargo during wartime. It stems from international law and outlines how naval forces can seize vessels under hostile action. The law aims to regulate the conduct of war at sea, ensuring captured goods are justly dealt with and providing a mechanism for adjudicating claims over prizes taken. Courts, known as prize courts, evaluate whether the capture was lawful, determining the distribution of the value of the seized property among the captors and their nation.