prize court

American  

noun

1. a court whose function it is to adjudicate on prizes taken in war.

---

prize court British  

noun

1. law a court having jurisdiction to determine how property captured at sea in wartime is to be distributed

---

Etymology

Origin of prize court

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prize court

Before the captor could take title to a vessel, he would have to bring the ship into port and have it condemned before a prize court, which would determine the lawfulness of the capture.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026

Two months later the Vanderbilt visited Angra Pequeña and captured there the British bark Saxon, having a large part of the wool on board, and sent her to a prize court in the United States.

From Cruise and Captures of the Alabama by Albert M. Goodrich

The former was well pleased when he heard the details of the interview with the president of the prize court, and said that he would go up and see him in the morning.

From At Aboukir and Acre A Story of Napoleon's Invasion of Egypt by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty

Nevertheless, it is seriously suggested that claimants are free to request the prize court to rule upon a claim of conflict between an Order in Council and a rule of international law.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume V (of 8) Battle of Jutland Bank; Russian Offensive; Kut-El-Amara; East Africa; Verdun; The Great Somme Drive; United States and Belligerents; Summary of Two Years' War by Allen L. (Allen Leon) Churchill

After being captured from Allied vessels sunk by the German raider, they were taken before a prize court at Swinemunde, when their status was determined.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume VI (of VIII) History of the European War from Official Sources by Francis J. (Francis Joseph) Reynolds