Instance Court

In English law. That branch of the admiralty court which has the jurisdiction of all matters except those relating to prizes. An "instance court" takes cognizance of contracts made and injuries committed on the high seas; a "prize court" has jurisdiction of prizes, etc. 18 Johns. (N. Y.) 257. The term is sometimes used in American law for purposes of explanation, but has no proper application to admiralty courts in the United States, where the powers of both instance and prize courts are conferred without any distinction. 3 Dall. (U. S.) 6; 1 Gall. (U. S.) 563; 3 Kent, Comm. 355, 378. See "Admiralty."

In English Law. That branch of the admiralty court which had the jurisdiction of all matters except those relating to prizes. The term is sometimes used in American law for purposes of explanation, but has no proper application to admiralty courts in the United States, where the powers of both instance and prize courts are conferred without any distinction; Glass v. The Betsy, 3 Dali. (U. S.) 6, 1 L. Ed. 485; The Emulous, 1 Gall. 563, Fed. Cas. No. 4,479; 3 Kent 355, 378. See Admiralty.

In English law. That division or department of the court of admiralty which exercises all the orcinary adiniralty jurisdiction, with the single exception of prize cases, the latter belonging to the branch called the “Prize Court.” The term is sometimes used in American law for purposes of explanation, but has no proper application to admiralty courts in the United States, whero the powers of both instance and prize courts are conferred without any distinction. 3 Dall. 6; 1 Gall. 568; 8 Kent, Comm. 355, 378.

The ordinary Court of from the Prize Court, v. Court, 91.