A prize court is a court which is authorized to consider whether or not a ship has been lawfully captured or seized in time of war. The Federal Court of Canada has jurisdiction in matters of prize in Canada. The Canada Prize Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. P-24, covers ships, aircraft and goods that have been taken.
Prize Court Rules, 1939 is a copy of the PC 1939-2682, which was issued on September 5, 1939 pursuant to the War Measures Act. If you would like to learn more about prize law, there is a two-part article discussion in Canadian Yearbook of International Law called "Visit, Search, Diversion and Capture in Naval Warfare", which discusses the history.
References
- Canada Prize Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. P-24 - Justice Laws
- Prize Court Rules, 1939 - onsite at Vancouver Courthouse Library
- "Visit, Search, Diversion and Capture in Naval Warfare: Part I, Traditional Law, Part I", by WH Von Heinegg Canadian Yearbook of International Law, v. 29 - available in HeinOnline
- "Visit, Search, Diversion and Capture in Naval Warfare: Part II, Traditional Law, Part II", by WH Von Heinegg, Canadian Yearbook of International Law, v.30 - available in HeinOnline