PRIZE COURT, Eng. law The name of court which has jurisdiction of all captures made in war on the high seas.
2. In England this is a separate branch of the court of admiralty, the other branch being called the instance court. (q.v.)
3. The district courts of the United States have jurisdiction both as instance and prize courts, there being no distinction in this respect as in England. 3 Dall. 6; vide 1 Gall. R. 563; Bro. Civ. & Adm. Law, ch. 6 & 7; 1 Kent, Com. 356; Mann. Comm. B. 3, c. 12.