The Admiralty (U.S. legal jurisdiction)

The Admiralty jurisdiction in U.S. law refers to the authority of federal courts to hear cases related to maritime matters. This includes issues like shipping, navigation, and injuries that happen on navigable waters. Such cases are handled separately from other civil or criminal cases because maritime law has unique rules. Admiralty jurisdiction allows specialized courts to efficiently resolve disputes involving ships, cargo, maritime workers, and accidents at sea, ensuring consistent and expert legal oversight in maritime activities.