Catalogue description High Court of Admiralty, and Supreme Court of Judicature, High Court of Justice, Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division: Vice-Admiralty Courts: Prize Commissions, Letters Patent and Warrants

This series of records of the Vice-Admiralty Courts consists of three types of document:

• (1) commissions under the Great Seal from the sovereign to the Lords of the Admiralty, authorising them to require Vice-Admiralty courts to proceed upon captures of enemy vessels and to hear and determine prize cases;
• (2) letters patent under the Great Seal from the sovereign to the Lords of the Admiralty, authorising them to constitute Vice-Admiralty courts in British territories to hear and determine prize cases; and
• (3) warrants from the Commissioners of the Admiralty to the Judges of HM High Court of Justice requiring them to proceed upon captures and to hear and determine them.

See also HCA 57

High Court of Admiralty, 1340-1875

Supreme Court of Judicature, High Court of Justice; Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division, 1875-1970