Prize law refers to the laws and regulations governing capture at sea during an armed conflict. In maritime law, the prize means a vessel, cargo, or other property captured in an armed conflict. The body of international customary law and treaties governing capture at sea in wartime is known as prize law, such as the rights of the captor, the distribution of the proceeds of capture, etc.
There is no uniform prize law, but there are some common basic rules. For example, an enemy ship may be seized by a party in conflict. Warships could be sunk, while private merchant ships should be taken to friendly ports for adjudication by a prize court whenever possible. Coastal fishing vessels of any nation have the right not to be seized while engaged in trade.
[Last updated in May of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]