United States. District Court (Pennsylvania : Eastern District)

The U.S. District and Circuit Courts were established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Circuit Courts were given jurisdiction over cases involving foreign nationals or citizens of several states and equity suits where the matter in dispute exceeded $500. The Circuit Courts also heard appeals from the District Courts, which handled admiralty cases and bankruptcies under the national bankruptcy acts after 1800. Pennsylvania was divided into Eastern and Western Districts during 1801-1802 and after 1818. The Eastern District had appellate power for cases in both districts. The Circuit Courts were abolished effective Jan. 1, 1912, and their duties given to the District Courts.

The U.S. District and Circuit Courts were established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. The District Courts were grouped into circuits, and a Circuit Court was to convene twice a year in each district. The District Courts had exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction (including inland waterways), seizures on land, suits for penalties and forfeitures incurred under laws of the United States, and suits against consuls and vice consuls. The Circuit Courts heard appeals from the District Courts and had original jurisdiction in law and equity cases involving suits in excess of $500 in which the United States, an alien, or citizens of different states were parties. Pennsylvania was divided into Eastern and Western Districts during 1801-1802 and after 1818. The Eastern District had appellate power for cases in both districts. The Circuit Courts were abolished effective Jan. 1, 1912, and their duties given to the District Courts.

American admiralty law deals with registry, licensing, regulation, inspection, and seizure and forfeiture of vessels and cargo; also prizes, ransom, and military salvage; actions to recover ships; and maritime contracts and torts. Typical maritime contracts relate to charter parties; affreightment; the carriage of passengers and goods; maritime insurance; demurrage, pilotage, towage, lighterage, wharfage, and stowage, repairs, salvage, bottomry, and seamen's wages. Typical maritime torts involve collision, loss of or damage to cargo, and personal injury or ill usage between officers on the one hand and passengers or crew on the other.