prize court

American  

noun

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

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prize court British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of prize court

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95

Example Sentences

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

Provision was made for an international prize court, to which appeal might be made from the prize courts of the belligerent powers.

From History of the United States, Volume 6 by Andrews, Elisha Benjamin

The chief method is by submarines based upon the fundamentals of international law as dictated by German prize court regulations.

From Germany, The Next Republic? by Ackerman, Carl W. (Carl William)

In the prize court it was decided to confiscate the coal, and release the steamer.

From The Boys of '98 by Otis, James

In such a case, if examination justifies the action of his Majesty's Government, the case shall be brought before a prize court and dealt with in the ordinary way.

From The New York Times Current History, A Monthly Magazine The European War, March 1915 by Various