Maritime Law Research Guide

As one of the oldest bodies of law, Maritime and Admiralty Law began long before the United States existed. Most generally speaking, this area concerns regulation of activities involving transport of cargo and passengers over water. Today, the U.S. federal courts have been granted exclusive jurisdiction over this field, which covers all matters related to waters navigable within the United States for interstate or foreign commerce. The following treatises are considered the leading texts on Maritime and Admiralty Law and can be valuable resources when beginning research in this area.

Thomas J. Schoenbaum, Admiralty and Maritime Law (5th ed. 2011), KF1104.S36 2011 and Westlaw

• Two volume reference to the special procedures, rules, jurisdiction questions and remedies of American admiralty and maritime law, regularly updated with pocket parts

Erastus Cornelius Benedict, Benedict on Admiralty (7th ed. 1958), KF1104 .B4 and Lexis

• The authorative multi-volume looseleaf treatise on admiralty and maritime law; all aspects of maritime law are discussed - includes practice and procedure forms

Martin J. Norris, The Law of Seamen (4th ed. 1985), KF1121 .N64 1985 and Westlaw (5th ed.)

• This treatise provides coverage of maritime law governing rights and obligations of merchant seamen; it includes statutes, rules, and case law

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Updated 4/9/2010 (sas)
Updated 3/19/2014 (SG)
Updated 10/19/2018 (SB)